hiding under the blanket

o-Hi-o

Hello Friends and Family,

This weekend was the greatest! In the past three months I have seen a lady transform into a new person. I am so grateful that I have been apart of her life as she has applied and lives the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The other night we had a prompting to go visit another lady, whom we love. When we arrived to her house we crunched through the snow up to her humble abode. Entering into the small room there were blankets hanging up everywhere to trap in the heat. When we sat down to talk with her I noticed two bodies next two her on the couch with blankets over their heads. We got the impression to share a brief message on the Restoration. As we began to share it the blanket covering one of the bodies came down off their face and they joined in on the discussion. Minutes later the other person revealed their face. By the end of the message the whole family was sitting in the family room with us as we discussed how the gospel has been restored. 

I love you all so much! Thank you so much for all the love and support that you have given me!

Have a wonderful week! 

Pictures:

I was on exchanges with Sister Jones and she was given a painting of this beautiful dog.

Sister Baker and I together on exchanges. We came out together. 

Sister Feil scraping off the ice in our car

Me

rry C

hristma

s!

laboring in the vineyard

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

In Jacob 5 we read about the vineyard and how the Lord and the servant go about laboring in it. For most of my mission I feel like I have been in the vineyard planting a lot of seeds, watering, and pulling a lot of weeds. Recently, in my final stages of missionary work, I feel like I am in a garden that is in full bloom! I have reflected on my past 18 months I have realized that I have LOVED every stage of the work. It has been REALLY HARD but it has been WORTH IT! To only think that this is not the end, the journey continues! 

Even when you are facing a hard minute, hour, day, week, month, year(s). Push forward having faith and a  steadfastness in Jesus Christ. I can promise that you will overcome any challenge through him and you will be rejoicing at the end with happiness! It is the greatest feeling. Oh, how I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Pictures: 

I have been slacking on who I have been serving around.
Here are some pictures of previous and present district/ zones.
The last picture is Sister Gessell from the MTC, we saw each other at MLC. 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Sister Cook

Still raking leaves

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends,

Have you looked up the Christmas Video called "Light the World" yet? (I attached it to my last email) It is a video depicting Jesus Christ serving others and how we can follow his example and serve as well. We can be a light to others by helping them out. 

Sister Feil and I have taken the Christmas initiative and are looking for ways to serve others everyday this month. The other day we were talking to Dave (a guy we are teaching) and asked him if we could come rake his leaves. Yes,I am aware that it is December but I don't think Indiana got the memo because last week I was wearing a short sleeve shirt. Okay, maybe not everyone is wearing short sleeve shirts right now, but there is no snow and the sun is shining. Anyways, he thought he had to pay us but once we clarified that he doesn't pay us he then said, "Okay, surprise me!" 

On Saturday, we had a member from our ward who supplied the rakes and bags and came to help us. We thought it would only take 30 minutes but once we started we called in reinforcements to help us out. Dave and his wife pulled up in the middle of our surprise. He was smiling and his wife, who is not fond of us at the moment, even smiled! I like smiles! It was so great! 

Jesus Christ has taught us to live the higher law. He is the way and the example. We can follow him by serving everyone around us. To give what we can and to not be discouraged with what we can't give. 

I love you all so much!

Let us all remember the true meaning of Christmas this season. 

If you are having a hard day, week, month, year or life then go and serve someone! I promise you will feel better!

Love

Sister Cook

PS Just in case you haven't seen it yet!

https://www.mormon.org/

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends, 

This past week has been a whirl wind! I got the news that I will be staying here in Muncie with Sister Feil. I am so excited! 

Thanksgiving was beautiful! I don't have much to say because we have been on the go all week! I feel like I am moving at warp speed right now. 

Sister Conrad was with us for the week until her new companion arrived! 

I was out on exchanges with Sister Bennett and she is such a great example to me! 

I hope you all have a great week!

I love you all!

Sister Cook

https://www.mormon.org/?cid=HP_FR_25-11-2016_dMIS_fmorg_xLIDyL1-A_

Surprise!

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

The other day we drove up to the sweetest ladies house to leave her some sticky notes on her door because it was her birthday. We pulled up and quickly started to write out some cute birthday notes. We looked up and saw that her dog was outside and we saw her on her porch. She disappeared. We thought that maybe she didn't see us. So before she could come back out for her dog we bolted up her steps ready to post the notes and dash real fast! Right as we were inches away from the door she swings open the door with a tray in her hand.

She greets us with a big smile and says, "You are just in time!" 

Startled by what was going on. We notice three cups of hot coco, 3 plates, 

2 candy bags, and 2 ice cream bars on the little table outside her house. She walks to the table with the tray in her hands that held a small birthday bunt cake, decorated with candles. 

We were stumbling over our words, trying to explain to her why we were there. We were afraid that we interrupted her little party. 

She smiled even bigger, "I am expecting you! I prayed and asked God to send someone to celebrate my birthday with me. I figured if no one came then God would have something better in store, but I looked out my window and I saw you girls!"

We couldn't stop laughing about the whole thing. It was so great. 

She is a woman of excellent faith. 

Picture 1: This is us before we ran up the stairs thinking maybe she didn't see us. 

Picture 2: What we walked in to!

I love you all so much!

Keep smiling!

Sister Cook

Shake and tremble

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends,

It is that time again in my life when I got asked to play my violin in a musical number at Zone Conference. I debated if I should have done it or not. Do I hide my talent or do I share it with others? I have witnessed too many miracles out here to deny God. I know that this talent was given from Him and so I knew that this was my next step in strengthening it. Deep down I was trembling with fear. I decided this time round in performing I would change my attitude. 

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7)

I started to pray for excitement and faith in performing. I did all that I could to stomp out the fear. The day of the performance, I performed and I was filled with joy. I couldn't stop smiling. I was having fun in playing the piece. At the end however, I think from my excitement, I messed up the timing and made it sound like a train wreck at the end. Nevertheless, I couldn't stop smiling and feeling joy because I didn't SHAKE and TREMBLE! That is what I prayed for. I prayed to not shake or tremble. I was strengthened by Christ. 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)

I was thinking how I had to change something about myself and turn to Christ for strength.That is what we are doing out here as missionaries. Helping people repent (change) and turn to Christ. To have all the blessings that come from God's power and authority (the Priesthood) being restored to the earth once again.I have seen people face fear when they turn towards Christ to change. Some people are ready for change and others are not yet. Once they put their faith in him and trust in him then do the miracles proceed. Miracles are out there!

I sure love you all!

Have a wonderful week!

Remember YOU get to choose how to act and react in a situation. So choose to be happy!

Sister Cook

Dark roads and bright faces

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends,

The other night we were out to meet a member from our ward, so we started to drive. The drive led us out through the beautiful country, it was dark and there were a couple of lamp posts that lit the way. We finally made it to our destination on a dim road with a couple of houses. We parked and got out trying to find our way through the dark. We couldn't find the house number, so we went to inquire a neighbor to help us out. We knocked, no answer. Across the way we saw a mom send her daughter off, so we quickly crossed the street and went to ask her for some help. We started talking and had a delightful conversation, her husband came out and started to talk with us too. Half way through our conversation his phone began  to receive multiple phone calls from the neighbors. All the neighbors were wondering who owned the "mystery" car on the street. We felt bad for disrupting the row of houses, but thankfully we were in good hands. The couple we talked to were so lovely and they were able to help us out. They invited us in, the husband let me play his electric violin. After, we said a prayer with them and went on our way to spread the word. 

There are so many good people in the world. I encounter them everyday. I love the support we have from members too! The wards and branches that I have been in, the members are more than willing to feed us, come out and teach with us, drive us around, and many more acts of service. I love the constant support from everyone. 

Though we are not perfect and we have our flaws that fact is we just have to try our best! 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I love serving the Lord. This is His vineyard and the work that is being accomplished is all done because of Him. 

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng

Love

Sister Cook

Have a wonderful week!