A performance of a lifetime

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Hello Family and Friends!

What a beautiful day! No snow, blue skies, I am almost to the point where I don't need my fuzzy leggings, and the sun is shining! Greenville keeps growing on me everyday. This little town is pretty cute.

Two Sunday's ago, a sweet older lady in the Branch stood up and was bearing her sweet testimony. In the middle she talked about how I play the violin. Oh no! I knew what was going to come from this. The next day I was asked to perform a solo in Branch Conference. My stomach did a million flips! I like to perform in symphonies but when I get in front of a crowd by myself or a small group my fingers shake, my knees buckle, and my bow of the violin becomes violently out of control! I about declined to playing but then I thought about the story of the talents. I can't bury my talent! I don't want to lose my talent in playing the violin. It was a tough decision. I prayed for the strength and said yes. The performance was very simple. It was yesterday and I played "Lead Kindly Light." I was shaking in my seat. I grabbed a chair, sat down, closed my eyes, and prayed as I played. I made it! I didn't shake as bad and my bow stayed in control. *Phew* . Through experience I am praying that my shaky self will not be so shaky in the future. 

I have loved my studies this week! I have been reflecting on the Holy Ghost and his role in our life. It is our personal choice to be open to the Spirit. In Helaman 5:21-52 I really enjoyed reading about the change that we can all have. If we pray to God and repent then can we find our way out of the darkness. The joy we can all feel is real! God has so much for us. We just need to be open to listening to what He wants us to know through the Holy Ghost. 

I love you all so much! I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL day! Stay positive and have a fantastic week!

Love,

Sister Cook

o-Hi-o

Family and Friends,

Hello! 

The other day we were eating dinner with a family that we are teaching. They are so SWEET. I love them! For dessert they had a great surprise for us. (The reason this came about is because the time before my companion mentioned her favorite treat to them.) So it was time for dessert and the little girl gets a big smile and pulls out the vanilla bean ice cream and then runs to the fridge and pulls out the dill pickle spears! I about passed out. My companion gets over joyed and the little girl starts squealing with joy. Pickles and ice cream together. The mother and I had to motivate each other to take a bite. We decided that one bite was enough. Everyone else loved it! Even though the mother didn't like it, she was so sweet to make that dessert for  my companion. It was an eventful night to say the least!  We ended by teaching an awesome lesson on the Book of Mormon. 

For the rest of the week I was sick with the nasty flu! My sweet companion took good care of me. I am feeling a lot better. YAY! As I was stuck in bed I reflected on Alma the younger as he experienced a change of heart. I was thinking about how we always have something to repent of and change to turn more towards God. Through Christ we can always find that change for the better. 

I love this gospel.

I love the people here!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Have a wonderful week!

Sister Cook

o-Hi-o

Hello Family and Friends!

Oh my goodness! What a week. Why are trials so great? I will tell you because they make us stronger! 

Yesterday, we went to a WONDERFUL ladies home where she fed us dinner and told us her life story. I was just in awe. With everything she has endured she can't stop smiling and laughing. We discussed about Gods love for all His children. We discussed about the beauty of forgiveness and how to be like Christ. I wish I could go into detail of our conversation but my words would seem short and I couldn't begin to reiterate the spirit within that conversation. 

If you get the time to study, I would suggest you all to study the Doctrine of Christ which can be found in the Articles of Faith #4. It will bless your life! I just love it. 

I love this gospel! I love being out here in the great little town of Greenville. 

Love you all!

Sister Cook

Feb 1- First things first

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Hello Family and Friends!

We just got the call and I am staying here in Greenville for another transfer! I am so EXCITED! This week has been glorious and I am geared up for the future. I LOVE the people here. I love to look for something good each day because it keeps me smiling. 

Well the other day we were meeting the neighbors to a member in our branch. When we walked in, right there hanging on their wall was the First Vision. I was about to have a heart attack (I got real excited). We come to find out that her grandson is member and sent her the pictures around her house. We invited her to hear the story about the picture of the First Vision. She said we could come back this week to tell her. I am looking forward to that day. 

Well I love it out here! I know this is short but I will send pictures next week. 

No one freak out, but I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. 

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. I am truly grateful for you all. 

Have a WONDERFUL week!

Sister Cook

Jan- 25 Smiles

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Dear Family and Friends,

Oh my goodness! It is almost the end of January! WOW! Time flies. If it weren't for the snow outside I would still think it was July of last year. I am continuing to find the things that I love about this place. I love to recognize that constant service keeps me moving forward. I can't explain the feeling but it feels like I just came out here yet at the same time I feel like I have been on this mission my whole life! I love service! It feels so great to always find a way to help someone out. 

Well the other day, in my studies I was lead to the book of Mark and I was reading in chapter 10. I was going there to read a verse and by the end of my studies I was reading the whole chapter. I just loved it all. Verses 17-22 really stuck out to me, it is about the rich young ruler. As I studied it I reflected at the end where the young ruler was grieved because he had to sacrifice his great possessions for eternal life. It is hard to give things up. To become more like Christ we must always look for something that we can sacrifice so that we can become more like him. A couple days later I opened the Ensign from November 2015 and turned to the talk called " What Lack I Yet?" by Elder Larry R. Lawrence. He talks about the rich young ruler! It was wonderful to read that talk and to think "what lack I yet?"

This past week I prayed about it and the thing I am going to sacrifice is my frown! Ya, I can see some of you guys laughing at this idea. However, when I catch myself frowning then I recognize that my thoughts become more negative. So even when I am upset I am trying to smile!  I started this week and I already recognize a difference. 

My thoughts were scattered and all over the place this week. Hopefully it made sense! In my head it did. 

Here is the link to that wonderful talk

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/what-lack-i-yet?lang=eng

I LOVE YOU ALL!

I hope you recognize the positive things in your life this week!

Love,

Sister Cook

Jan 18- Love you 

Hello Family and Friends!

I just want to say how much I love this gospel. I know that the fullness of Christ's gospel has been restored on the Earth through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that we can all receive our own personal revelation as we pray and ask God for ourselves. I know that the Book of Mormon is a witness to this all.

My heart is overwhelmed when I think of it all! I am so grateful for my trials that I have had these past few weeks. I see that they have been placed in my life to make me stronger. I don't understand them fully but I know that we can overcome any trial or obstacle through Christ! I love the atonement and the Doctrine of Christ. I am continually seeing how it is changing me and those around me.

I love it here! I love the people! 

I love you all so much! Thank you for your love and support.

Sister Cook

First day of snow!

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Hello Family and Friends!

Would you believe it, Ohio is finally getting snow! There has been rumors going around that there is going to be a terrible blizzard this week. I guess we will see if the rumors are true or not by the end of this week. My cute companion is from Southern California, so yesterday was her first experience in the snow. 

When we woke up in the morning she looked outside and exclaimed, "Sister Cook! It's the blizzard!"

I quickly made my way to the door to see the wind blowing and the snow falling. I had to break it to her that, that was just snow falling for the first time! We had a good laugh about it. (Picture below of the "Blizzard").

This past week has been another great learning lesson. I am learning the great power in having faith. With the roller coaster week we have had of ups and downs my faith was put to the test. I was grateful because in the end we had a beautiful miracle! On Saturday afternoon we had an appointment with a guy out in the middle of no where. We hadn't met him yet. We didn't know what to expect from our visit. Well a sweet member drove us out there and when we pulled up to the house we all looked at each other. We were uncertain if we were at the right house. The member with us started to question if we should even approach the door. We sat there for a few minutes. Said a prayer and then proceeded to the door. As we knocked on the door a young lady answered the door. We went inside and started to talk with the family inside. THEY ARE THE GREATEST! Oh goodness. We fell in love with this family. OH my we are so excited to be teaching this cute family. Words can't describe how much I love this gospel and how I see it change lives for the better. I see that everyday out here. It takes faith to see the miracles. 

I love you ALL!!!! 

Keep being amazing!

Picture 1: First day in the snow! AKA the "Blizzard"

o-Hi-o

Hi Family and Friends!

I love you all!

Pictures are worth a thousand words.

Have a wonderful, wonderful week. 

I am so grateful to be out here on a mission because I am seeing the world through Heavenly Father's eyes. He has unconditional love for everyone. HE LOVES YOU. 

Something that I am trying to repent of and be better at this week is saying more sincere prayers to Heavenly Father. I recognize that when I am sincere in heart and truly ask with real intent then I receive answers. Sometimes when I don't receive an answer quickly, I then learn the great principle of patience. I love the Holy Ghost because he comforts us as we wait for those answers. 

I love you so much,

Sister Cook 

Picture 1: Family

Picture 2: UDF is the greatest! It is a milkshake/ gas station business. Sun, rain or (future) snow, milk shakes are always a great choice.

 

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Hello Family and Friends!

Where do I begin? Well, I first want to say I LOVE YOU ALL! I am just so grateful to have you all apart of my life. Thanks for being awesome. 

I loved going around this week, with it being Christmas and all, because we got to share with many people the message of Christ. Why we celebrate Christmas. The more I study about the Savior and continue to build that relationship him, I continue marvel  all that he has done for us. He is our mediator, it is through him that we are able to return and live with God. 

Ah!  I just love this gospel. 

This past week was another great adventure. One day in particular, I was reminded that I am not in Utah. We were at a home with a member who just was baptized. We were teaching her son when all of a sudden our phones went off alerting us of a tornado warning. She was checking the news as we could prepare for our next step. (Side note:My first experience of a tornado warning, that is why you are getting this story.) I was informed that these tornado warnings occur more around the month of August or so. Just a city away was the tornado, so we sat and waited. When the debris hit the house we ran for the bathroom. Into the bathroom I ran with Sister Matthews (on exchanges that day), mother, her little son and her older son, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. Sister Matthews had hold of one of their cats which is a Manecoon cat, it's a fat cat. As we sat there the cat got anxious so I took it from Sister Matthews and the cat proceeded to crawl up around my back and perched on my shoulders. I was thus weighed down to put my hands on my knees. Anyone who then tried to touch the cat would have been under attack (about 10 minutes later the cat calmed down and climbed off.) Sitting in the bathroom, I was so impressed by the older son who earlier expressed his fears of religion. He offered a prayer to God for our safety. It was a beautiful, humble prayer. For 45 minutes we waited patiently for the storm to pass. 

Well, I made it through my first tornado warning and now I will be more (mentally) prepared for my next one! I reflected on how we have personal storms in our life each day. As we prepare our self by praying, reading the scriptures and attending church weekly then we can have protection from our trials. We can't pray for our trials to be just taken away but we can pray to have strength during them and be prepared for when they come. 

I know that the Savior has suffered for all our pains and afflictions that we feel. We can have those feelings be released and freed from us as we learn of him and of his atonement. I know that it is personal choice for if we choose to or not. 

I invite you to pray!

I sure love you all

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

2016!

WOW!

Sister Cook

Picture: Where the Sidewalk ends. I feel it is rare when I come across a sidewalk then when I do, it ends too soon!

Paper maps and JOY

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Hello Family and Friends!

On Tuesday I sat in with all the other missionaries taking part of transfers during our transfer meeting. I was anxiously awaiting them to call my name. I was getting so NERVOUS! Where would I be going? Who is my new companion? The nerves got the best of me. I was shaking, hands all sweaty, and my thoughts were racing. 

Finally, they called my name, "In Greenville, Sister Cook will be training Sister King." 

AAA so many emotions. We got everything together, started driving away from the city and an hour later we came into the country. My new area is a cute little Branch that covers a lot of area! I have never been in a Branch before. 

My favorite is the church building. When we drove up to it, it shocked me at first. It is a humble little building with a huge steeple out on the front lawn (building too small to hold the steeple.) Walking in I feel like I am home. The spirit is strong and it looks the same but on a smaller scale.

The first few days we didn't have our GPS so a sweet member in the Branch gave us a paper map to use. Unfolding the map took up the whole dash board. I felt very savvy trying to navigate with it. 

The other night we had a great hour(s) of rejection. By the end of the night as we were leaving an area of some people we visited my cute companion said that we should go visit the door down the way. I asked her to start the conversation. She was hesitant and decided that we shouldn't go to the door. I smiled. I reassured her that I would be right there to back up the conversation. So we walked slowly to the door. She knocked on the door. A cute old lady opened the door and right after Sister King spoke the lady said, "I have been praying for you all day, come on in." 

What a beautiful miracle! 

I love in Ether 12:6 because it is after a trial of our faith do we witness the miracle. Our faith was increased and it continues to grow each day when we are thrown into the trials of life. 

I am so excited that it is Christmas. I love to reflect on our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yesterday, first Sunday here and we were asked to give a talk in Sacrament on Jesus Christ and Christmas.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Thank you for all your love and support! I hope you continue to find ways to strengthen your faith.

Here is my new address:

297 Driftwood Dr.

Greenville, OH

45331

LOVE

Sister Cook 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sloppy and good

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Hello Family and Friends,

If you haven't figured this out yet, I am not a professional writer. My letters might come off choppy, sloppy, and vague. Each week I have a difficult time trying to think what to share. I want to be careful by not disclosing personal information and then at the same time I don't want to come across too vague. With so many events occurring everyday it is hard to write an email that can make sense and express everything. 

With that in mind, I just realized that I never mentioned my Thanksgiving from last week. Yes, Sister Clark and I were taken care of. A very sweet and wonderful family in the ward welcomed us into their home. It felt so good to be surrounded by loud kids running around and adults laughing with each other over random things. I felt right at home. 

This week is my last week of this transfer. IT IS DECEMBER. WOW. I still feel like it is July. I have been in Mason for almost 5 1/2 months. The people here are the SWEETEST and so respectful. I just love this place. 

We are teaching people from all around the world. It is so fun to be exposed to different cultures. People from Micronesia, Egypt, Africa, and many other places. One man we are teaching that is from Africa is so funny! He is always cracking a joke and his personality just lights up the room, you can't help but smile too. Oh he is such a great father and husband. Overall, that family is just so sweet! 

Well I will let you know next week if I am staying or going. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Thank you for your prayers and support. 

Picture:

Sister Clark and I went to the nursing home to visit a sister from our ward. Afterwards, Sister Clark had the great idea to sing some Christmas Carols to some other people. It was wonderful night.