o-Hi-o

Hello Friends and Family,

Ok, I need to first start off with a really good laugh. Back here on the East side of the states there is a great population of geese. I have heard from people that geese hiss and are aggressive.  I never saw this side of them. I only have had the great pleasure in hearing them serenade us in the morning with their loud honking. The other morning my companions and I went out for our morning run. We always love to switch up our route. This particular route was a beautiful trail though out the greenery in our apartment complex. As we were coming to the end of the run we came across a bridge over a pond. Sister Mickelsen went first and at the end of the bridge we heard a goose hiss at her from below. Before we could make it over the bridge another goose flew out of no where hissing  and dive bombing towards Sister Mickelsens head! The goose knocked her off the trail, flapping wildly around her. She screamed loud enough to wake up the whole apartment complex. I barely got past the geese and then began to cry with laughter. It was priceless. I guess you would have to be there to get the full affect of how funny this truly was. The lesson I have learned is to stay far from the geese. 

My Spanish is improving when I speak and I can understand more than I have in the past! I don't know how to write it yet. One of our Spanish investigators just moved to California. It was bitter sweet! I never thought in my wildest of dreams that I would be learning Spanish on my mission! I LOVE IT!  

OH I LOVE INDIANA! It is so beautiful! It is so green, the trees are bright with purple, pink, and white blossoms. The people are so sweet and nice. This transfer has flown by real quick! Next Monday is transfers, I will find out if I stay or if I go. 

I know I keep saying this but it truly is one of my favorite things out here on my mission. The change that people have as they come close to Christ. No matter who the person is and what circumstance they are in, I have seen the Doctrine of Christ transform people. It is truly a personal choice to come closer to Jesus Christ and when someone decides to take that path the outcome is beautiful. 

I am so grateful for all the areas that I have served in and the people that I have met and the companions I have had. Everyone around me has changed me for the better and I am forever grateful for that.

I love you all so much!

Best of luck to everyone that is coming to the end of their school year! 

YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING! 

Love 

Sister Cook

Picture 1: Missionaries at Leadership Council

Picture 2: Zone Fun Day last week. We got to have fun BBQ and games!

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

I am so impressed and in awe with the love and support of people all around. I know that there is a lot going on in the world today that is troublesome, negative, scary and overwhelming. Nevertheless, there are still so many good people in the world today. I am a witness to that every single day. The other day we had the neat experience when different denomination of churches came together to pray for other people. People are coming together to support one another during these difficult times.

In one lesson this week, we had a lady telling us about a struggle she encountered. Someone had given her advice that helped her through it and I just loved it so much I wanted to share it with all you.

"It is painful to turn back and it is painful to move forward, so it is better to move forward and grow."

What ever you are going through remember to keep moving forward and have the Savior apart of your life. Let him be a part of your every step. It is through him that we can find that relief. 

I love you all so much!

Best of luck to everyone this week! I hope you find opportunities to help someone out. Even if it is by smiling and waving to them! That can brighten up someones day!   

I never thought I would get used to flat land and open skies, but I love them more and more each day. 

Love,

Sister Cook

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/04/always-remember-him?lang=eng

Short and Sweet

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends,

It has been a GREAT week up here in Fort Wayne!

My comments will be short this week but I just want you all to know how much I love you all and for your support!

I hope this upcoming week brings a lot of miracles and blessings to you all. 

I am witnessing them everyday out here. Heavenly Father's work is progressing forward. People's faith is increasing everyday. 

Picture: I feel selfish always sending pictures of just our faces, but when I think about it I don't really get the opportunity to pull my camera out during lessons or service projects. So you get a great shot of us at the end of a very long day of service! Here are the beautiful Munice Sisters. 

LOVE you all!

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

Where do I begin! This week has been another ADVENTURE! This week as we were driving down to a leadership meeting, our car had some issues so we pulled to the side of the road. There were 5 of us sisters in the car so we all got out trying to resolve the issue by checking the oil. A man stopped to help us when he saw 5 girls in skirts examining a car hood that wasn't popped (it took us a minute to figure out how to pop the hood.) He explained he wouldn't want his daughters  to be stranded on the road. We were guided to the next gas station and got everything taken care of. We were so grateful for his help.

It made me think about how life is like a car ride. We are all on a car ride back to our loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Along the way we encounter many different experiences. Sometimes the ride is beautiful and enjoyable. The scenery is just right, the music in the car keeps us going and the people in the car are great to laugh and talk with.  Other times there might be a lot of loud distractions from the other people in the car. Irritation rises because of the traffic. Sometimes the car is not taken care of and breaks down on the side of the road. However, someone is there to tow us to safety and to get the car running again. In life, we have these experiences. Life is joyful where we get to love and laugh with our loved ones. We get to rejoice over experiences that build our confidence. Other times we get over stressed with life and the everyday tasks that bog us down begin to break us down. Thankfully we are not alone. Heavenly Father loves us  so much that he puts other people in our life to help us out. People to uplift and to inspire us.

This weekend was General Conference. A time to hear from our Prophet, Apostles, and leaders of the church. Prophet Thomas S. Monson has the Priesthood Keys to lead and guide us back to our loving Heavenly Father under the direction of Jesus Christ. The messages that were given this weekend were uplifting and great counsel to direct us all on our car ride home. 

I am so grateful for the people that God has placed in my life so far. I have been broken on the side of the road plenty of times and yet over and over again God sends someone to the rescue.

I love it here in Indiana! I love the people! I am so grateful to be here.

I love you all so much!

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Cook

For those that didn't get the opportunity to hear Conference here is the link below:

(The print is not available yet, but just listen to them while you work.)

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

Pic 1: UNIFIED!

Pic 2: The snow is real in April.