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Thursday, June 18, 2015

2015-6-15 “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh, Blessed be the name of the Lord."

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh, Blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21
(and then he gives it back...takes it back...but in the end he gives it back again! or at least I hope so...;) jajaja that about describes my week. Taking and giving. 

Maria Antonia y Aron. After I wrote ya´ll last week, we go to visit Maria Antonia. 
Bad news badgers. Her husband was super drunk...I think she was too...and she told us that her mom wasn't going to let Aron get baptized (because he lives with her mom...and not her...it's a weird situation) We were both SUPER stunned. HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?!??! She told us to come back the next day. So we did. 
Next day (Tuesday) She told us lots and lots of bad news. And she told us how awful her husband is. For reals, I wanted to cry. I just can't believe how awful human beings can be. After we left her house, I lost it. I was crying like a baby. I could not believe that she wouldn't be able to get baptized!! I was very upset, thinking what I could have done differently, or what did I do wrong. It was a hard day. What hurt really bad is knowing that I will be coming home in a week to family and friends that love me, people that live the gospel, a house, food, etc. and she would still be here suffering. It hurt me to the core. 

We went back on Thursday. Things have changed again. She definitely wants to leave her husband, and her mom said that she could stay in her house!! AND...we talked to her mom (who loves us) and she said that Aron could get baptized too!!! It was seriously a crazy week. Real real crazy. I felt bad afterwards for having so little faith...but I have repented and learned from my mistakes. :) Progression. 

So...unless things change again...Maria Antonia y Aron will be getting baptized this Saturday!!! SO BLESSED!!!!
Maria Antonia, Aron, neice, & Carolina

Other quick news. Maria de Jesus and Pablo...aren't gonna be getting baptized...this week.
BUT...they definitely will be getting baptized!!!!!!!! Pablo knows the church is true. He told a member the other day that he feels like he wants to cry when he is at church because he feels so much peace and happiness. I can't even begin to tell you how happy and blessed we have been to be teaching these people. I feel like they are my children!!! Love these people. So although I won´t be able to be here to see them get baptized, I want to come back in a year to see them get sealed!!! I know that they will go there someday!! (and crazy side note miracle. The same time that we started teaching them, there son and his family in Mexicali started listening to the missionaries. The also love the church and I think the are also gonna get baptized!! Wow...the lord and his timing. It's perfect.)

Anyway...this week went by super duper fast and was filled with lots and lots of blessings. 
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21

Okay...now for the goodbye...When I made the decision to serve a mission, I thought I was taking a year off from school; taking time off from work; taking time off from family and friends..movies...haha...
TAKING my time and GIVING it to the Lord. JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA!!!!!!!
I know now that really, when I thought God was "taking my time", He was actually always GIVING. Always. When I missed the wedding of my favorite (and only) brother, and the wedding of one of my best friends, and seeing my other best friend get engaged, and missing my sister open her mission call, and seeing my first nephew be born (PSYCH!!! nobody has given me a nephew yet...;) I thought the Lord was 'taking'. Nope. Always always giving. He gave me a much clearer eternal perspective. Eternal families. The importance of a temple marriage.

When I missed some of my favorite movies come out (jajaja..I am so lame) I thought the Lord was taking.  ..jajaja...wrong again. Silly chae chae.
He gave me wisdom. People, children of God, and their salvation is SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than the quest of a couple of attractive dwarves and a Hobbit. (jaja...nerd.)

When hard times came (hard companions, training a new missionary, not being able to speak and understand people) I thought a part of my happiness was being taken away. BUT, He was really actually helping me to rely on Him more; giving me opportunities to grow.

I did not take a year and a half off to serve the Lord...He GAVE me a year and a half to feel more love FROM Him and FOR him. He gave me new friends, more family. He gave me the opportunity to know some of my beloved brothers and sisters from the premortal life.

I understand better now that when the Lord appears to be taking, He is actually always giving. ALWAYS.

I am so eternally grateful for this time the Lord has given me to teach and preach of our Savior, Jesus Christ. There is no one I love and respect more. No one I want to serve more. No one I want to live with more forever and ever.

I know God loves me. I know He loves us SO MUCH. For the which He sent His only Begotten Son, who also loves us so much. I know our Savior suffered and died for our sins, our sorrows, our sicknesses, for everything. I know that ''although our sins be as scarlet, they can be as white as snow.'' I know that Jesus established a church. His true and only church. I know that there was a grand apostasy and that the church and the authority were lost. But I know without a doubt that God loves us and restored the true church and His sacred priesthood authority and all the saving ordinances on the earth once more. I know he appeared to the prophet Jose Smith. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the true and living church upon the earth, and it is led by living prophets and apostles. I now that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I love to see the temple and I know it's the house of God.
I love this gospel. I know it's true will all my heart, might, mind and strength. I want to show my love for my Father and Savior forever. I want to be obedient. I love God. I know He lives. I love my Savior. I know that my Redeemer lives.
I love hymn #112 "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul"
1. Savior, Redeemer of my soul, Whose mighty  and hath made me whole,
Whose wondrous pow'r hath raised me up And filled with sweet my bitter cup!
What tongue my gratitude can tell, O gracious God of Israel.
2. Never can I repay thee, Lord, But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
Hath it not been my one delight, My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still, And all my life reflect thy will.
3. O'errule mine acts to serve thine ends. Change frowning foes to smiling friends.
Chasten my soul till I shall be In perfect harmony with thee.
Make me more worthy of thy love, And fit me for the life above.

I love you all so much. I look forward to seeing you all soon!
Do what is right, keep the commandments, and love God!!

Love forever and ever,
Hermana Cook
Mission Mexico Ciudad Obregon!

2015-6-8 I am so BLESSED to be a missionary& will be eternally grateful for the opportunity

ARON!!! and Carolina!! Aron is gonna be my future husband.
We got it all planned out. SO CUTE!!

Wow. Week 3 of this transfer FLEW by!!! bye bye!! hijole!

Maria Antonia y Aron. They didn't come to church on Sunday :( I think it has something to do with her husband...that she's not married to. We went to visit her at the beginning of the week. She told us she doesn't want to get married to her husband (he's not very supportive...or nice...) and so she's going to live with her mom :) We were happy to hear that...it makes things a lot easier. She was sure with her decision. But when we went to visit her on Saturday, she was at her husband's house and she told us that maybe she will be getting married. NO! Why? So she told us she would come with an answer to church. But she didn`t come to church. RAYOS! But I am praying praying praying PRAYING that I can see her baptized!! My dream come true would be to see her and her son (my future husband...in 12 years...jajaja) get baptized!! My last Saturday with a baptism!!! POR FAVOR!!! But I have lots of faith..and hope...and charity (?) that she'll get baptized while I’m here!!!

Maria de Jesus and Pablo!!  Okay...God is sooooooooo perfect and his timing is the same! Perfect!!! So...I don't remember how much I’ve talked about them. But they are super cool. We (hna. Amador and I) contacted Maria when all of our plans fell through (but God's plans always work out :) She told us she was SUPER catholic..but told us we could come by. We visited her a lot...and she had lots of potential...but in the month that we had been visiting her..she never came to church. So...one day...we had no one to visit...but we were close to her house...so we went to go see how she was (it had been like 2 or 3 weeks since we had seen her). Long story short. Her husband, who she has had lots of problems with, was there. Long story short. He is trying to find the truth!!! ''We'll sir, you are in great luck, because these ARE the droids you're looking for!!!!'' (jajaja...name that movie ;) So since then, they have been coming to church, reading to the Book of Mormon (because the lesson in church was about the Book of Mormon) and being super duper awesome!! This couple that has had so many problems in their marriage, are now laughing with each other, sitting on the same couch together (when we first starting teaching them, they didn't even sit on the same couch together) and they even are talking about the stories of them when they first met!! SO CUTE!!! And...even better, they are feeding us!!! They made us dinner twice this week!!! They are the best. They have their goal for the 20th...but they still have to stop drinking coffee....but...TODO SE PUEDE!!!! What a wonderful Saturday to have 4 baptisms. Crossing my fingers (and praying even harder ;)
*Pablo y Maria de Jesus!! They are the coolest!!!

Anyway...that about sums up my happiness for this week.
I feel SO BLESSED to be a missionary!!! To see the gospel working in the lives of others! It is such a beautiful thing. I am so eternally grateful for my mission and my experiences. I can't believe there was a time when I didn’t want to serve a mission. SO GRATEFUL for the help and support so many of you have given me!!! I know that God placed all of you in my life for a reason!!
I know that my Redeemer lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives!!!
It truly is a comfort and a joy to know that my Redeemer lives and loves me. 
And loves you!!! And I love you too!!!

Have a great week....and KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS!!!!

Love,
Hna.Galleta!!
hahaha...my funeral...zone conference...jaja


Sunday, June 7, 2015

2015-6-1 "How great shall be your joy if you shall save but one soul...

The Payson Utah Temple is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I want to go on a temple tour when I get home!!! Love it!!!!
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/payson/video/

Hello  hello hello!!! 

Good things. Maria Antonia. Wow. She makes me want to keep being a missionary forever!!!!!!!
She really is sent from God!!!  At the end of a lesson, we were talking about how she felt about the church and the Book of Mormon and her baptism etc, and she was SO SWEET!!! She asked me how I felt to have helped a family with TONS of problems feel like a family. She said before she felt like they were just people living together, and now she really really feels like she has a family. SO SWEET!! And then she practically quoted DyC 18:
15"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"
 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

She was like ''wow...how great you must feel to have saved me and my family. And how great you must feel with all the people you have helped.'' I was like...wow...she has the spirit!!!!!! (I'm not trying to boast or sound proud...I just am really really really really happy and feel really blessed!!!)
Alma 26:
2 And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?
3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.


And of equal cuteness...her son Aron...8 años...we taught him about the restoration etc, and when we came back, he had read the pamphlet and had started reading the Book of Mormon!! And he was even underlining things he liked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPER AWESOME!!!! I love love love love love love this family!!!! So so so so blessed with the success God is giving me right now. I feel soooo imperfect. Thanks for always praying for me. You guys are the best best best!!!

Um...weather report. IT'S SUPER HOT HERE IN OBREGON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My skin is on fire. For reals. Even showering with cold water doesn't put it out. But it's fine. I remember how much I don't like snow and cold and being miserable. So then I’m good again. jajaja. It's all about perspective.

Also, yesterday, our Maria de Jesus y Pablo came to church!! They are SUPER awesome. They also have had TONS of problems...but the gospel is helping them SO MUCH!! This is the second time they have come to church. Almost the third. Last week, they actually came to church..but since they were 30 minutes late...Pablo didn't want to walk in..so the left. RAYOS!! But it's fine. At least they came again :) They have accepted a fecha bautismal..and so we are praying praying praying praying praying that they can get their answers and quit drinking coffee.

So sad to hear about Elder Perry passing away. He was one of my favorites!! But I know the Lord has His plan. Now I’m just praying they won't take my mission pres :) jaja...but really. He's the coolest.

Love you all so much!!!
Keeping being faithful members of the church!! And keep reading the scriptures and applying them!!

Love you all!! XxooxxXOXoXOxxOOO (big kiss big kiss..little hug little hug...etc) jajajaja

Love,
Hermana Cook


2015-5-25 Leaders are called of God

mi and my compy...we have cats that look like us :)
Well...I don't have a lot of time right now because I have to get a couple things ready for a family night we are going to have in 2 hours. And we have to go talk to our land lady in like 10 minutes. So yeah...really quick.

Good news...Maria Antonia is super excited for her baptism en June!!! And we are too!! And another wonderful thing is that her son, Aaron, who has 8 años, wants to get baptized too!! He hasn't been there when we teach...so we are going to teach them separately...but yeah. 2 baptisms!! woot woot!!! She is the cutest!! We were talking about prophets the other day, and she just thinks they are the coolest (because the are) and she was soooooo excited to hear that we get to listen to them every 6 months. But she was super bummed that she didn't know about the conference in April (we found her the day after conference). I told her I have the talks in a magazine (Liahonna) and she was SUPER STOKED to read them. SO SO CUTE!!! I love teaching her! She helps me remember how cool this gospel is!!! We are seriously SO BLESSED to have living prophets!



I was talking to one of my friends in an email, and he told me that in his stake conference, when they were doing the sustaining of the prophet, five people got up and said ''opposed.'' How sad!! I LOVE love love love the prophet and all the leaders of the church! I know they are all called of God!! I have this quote in my scriptures...and it is super duper true. “‘When we say anything bad about the leaders of the Church, whether true or false, we tend to impair their influence and their usefulness and are thus working against the Lord and his cause.’

There is nothing new about this counsel. Even though King Saul sought to kill him, David would not allow his companion to strike the king, saying, “for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?” (1 Sam. 26:9.)''

So true. If we are on the Lord's side, we should NEVER EVER EVER talk bad out our leaders. Period.

Other exciting things....yesterday, the Temple President of Heromosillo came to talk to our stake. We got permission from  Pres. Munive that we could go. So we did. And because we did..I got the best  surprise of my life!!!!!!!
I had totally forgotten who was in my stake...the ward AEROPUERTO!!!!!!!! So I got to see my family again!! I really feel like they are part of my family. Such a HUGE blessing to serve there for 6 months!! Shortest 6 months of my life!!!

Other than that, we are doing good!! I love love love Mexico and I love The Lord even more!!!
Proud to be a missionary!!!

Love,
Hna.Cook
walking in a field...sister missionaries of Cajeme!

2015-5-18 "That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world"

Um...so first week of last transfer. It went super duper well...even though my companion that knew the area is gone :( I am learning the area super duper fast now. jaja.

Hector y Carmen came to church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!
AND...it's thanks to Hna.Chayito y Hno.Franco!!! Best members ever. Hna.Chayito is an angel!!! She lives like 5 houses up from where Hector y Carmen live and we found out that she is visiting them a lot!! On her own!! And invites them to church!!! And she invited them over to dinner on Sunday!!! Wow wow wow!! We are so blessed to have members that want to help other people come unto Christ. Carmen and Hector can really see the love that we have for others. It is so so so wonderful. And moral of the story... always be a friend to everyone. And do your visiting teaching and home teaching and random visits. EVERYONE wants to feel loved and cared for.                                

Hector...because of his knowledge of the bible, has doubts about EVERYTHING!! So frustrating...Carmen on the other hand, hardly knows anything and loves loves loves loves everything. She is always reading the book of Mormon and LOVED church on Sunday!! She actually has accepted a day to be baptized..but because Hector hasn’t..she doesn`t want to without him. Hijole. We gonna need a miracle. But I believe in miracles, so we're good :)

Maria Antonia.... She is still sick. she has lots of pain in her side and the doctors say it's nothing. All week she wanted to come to church, but didn't this Sunday because she says she doesn't have a watch. My heart broke a little bit with the excuse. BUT...I going to keep having faith and doing my part and all will be well. She really is super duper great. Love these people. I just wish they had the same desire as I do for them to come unto Christ.

Um...cool story.
So our ward mission leader (we finally have one) and his wife told us to visit a family that missionaries had visited over a year ago. So we put it in our plans to visit if our planned lesson fell through. Well it did...so we went to visit them. When she opened the door..she acted like she really really didn't want to see us. So that's always great... but as we got talking..she told us about how her son had just gotten out of jail 2 days earlier. So we started talking about how with baptism we can start over again. Well, as we keep talking, she told us about how one of her sisters is a member and that she brought her son a Book of Mormon when he was in jail...and he liked it a lot!! And then her daughter of 14 years, out of no where, tells us that she has a gospel principles book and she and her cousin have been trying to read a chapter of it every week. WWWHHHAAATTT?!?! Super duper duper cool. The mom, Erika, told us how she feels like God had sent us in exactly the right moment. Wow....and it was a back up plan!!

That is a lesson I have LOVED learning here in the mission. When our plans don't fall through as planned, it's because God has a better plan planned for us. I have seen that with almost all of my investigadores and converts here. We found them either through failed plans or obedience (contacting 10 people every day). It's AMAZING how much God blesses us for our obedience and faith. I honestly don't feel like an amazing missionary that you always seen in the movies.I don't have lots of scriptures memorized and I can't speak the language perfectly.(DyC 1:23  That the fulness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world)
BUT..God is no respecter of persons...and he blesses all of his children as long as they are obedient and have faith. Before my dear friend Hna. Lindsley left, we were talking about obedience and how I wanted and needed to be more obedient. Long story short...we mentioned that obedience is a matter of choice, not your situation.  A lot of times we are obedient because it's easy when others are doing it, and when there are no problems. But it's when we are tested it is a lot harder (obviously). But we are truly truly blessed in all things for our obedience. Nothing goes unseen before the Lord. Anywho...I think that is the millionth time I have talked about obedience. hahaha...I think it's something I need to be reminded of on a weekly basis. jaja.

okay. yeah...speaking of obedience...I got to go. Love you all SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can't believe that I will be seeing you in 5 weeks.

Be good and remember to help and love others!! When we are in the service of our fellow being, we are only in the service of our God :)

Love, Hna. Cook

2015-5-11 "He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven

2015-5-11 "He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more."

MAGDALENA GOT BAPTIZED!!! I almost had a heart attack because she had to have an interview with presidente...but all went well...oh me of little faith... :) She has soooo much faith and she was SO HAPPY!!! It was the sweetest thing ever. I really do have such a strong testimony of the Holy Ghost. I know it's real and people really do feel it when they do what is right!

And yeah. It was SUCH a loving and humbling experience to see the difference in Hermana  Magdalena.  After the baptism, she was seriously on cloud 9! You could see the difference in her countenance! She was burden free! She was sooooo happy that she wanted to walk all the way home (I think we live like...2 or 3 miles from the church...) but she was just sooooo happy and light that it didn't matter. It was such a great experience!!

 I know that this gospel changes lives! I know that when we confess our sins to God, he will FORGIVE and FORGET!!!
D&C 58:
31 Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled?
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
43 By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them.


I know that is true. God will always fulfill his promises!! So just keep His commandments and you're all good :)

Got my new compy! Hna. Franco. She's from Argentina. Super sweet, super pretty, super dedicated, and super duper ready to work me to death!!! jajaja (I say that because she gonna kill me...or at least that's what we call  it here when one finishes their mission...)

I was super sad to see Hermana Amador leave. She is a great missionary. But God has a plan and I will have faith in that plan...if I want to be happy :)

Love you all so much!!!!

Hermana Cook

oh...and p.s.
I HAVE THE BEST MOMMY AND GRANDMAS IN THE WORLD!!!!

2015-5-4 Protection in obedience

Last P-day with our district

First, I just got to say FELICIDADES to my querido hermanita EMMY!!!!!
Indiana, Indianapolis Mission!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!
2nd best mission in the world!!! (Cd.Obregon es la mejor!!)
So excited for her. She is going to be the best servant of Lord :)

Anyway...well...I have good good good news, and sad sad sad SAD news... :D X(

¡¡Good good news!!
Magdalena is getting baptized this week!!! WAHOO!!!!!!!! She is ready to get over her fear of baptism and take that step!!!  She has such a great testimony and lots and lots of faith. We are soooo proud of her :') And we are making sure she doesn't drink coffee either. If you could pray for her too, that'd be really great :)


Goodish-badish news...
So...Maria Antonia, our super golden investigador, well...she didn't go to church this Sunday or the last Sunday. Her decision to not go the Sunday before affected her ability to go this Sunday...let me explain...
Sunday...2 Sundays ago, she didn't come because she got in a big fight with her mom and didn't feel like going to church. Bad idea. When we went to go visit her that day, she told us she felt really bad for not going...and as a result...her husband, who also didn't go....went and bought a lot of beer and they were super drunk D: D: D: Super sad...but we haven't taught them the word of wisdom...so it's a transgression.
Well...because she was super drunk, she felt SO BAD!!!! SO bad!! We've had to talk a lot about forgiveness and perdon this week because she just feels a lot of Godly sorrow...which is good. She doesn't want to drink anymore!!! BUT...as a result....she is super sick!! Like all this week she couldn't hardly eat or sleep or walk and had a really bad fever...and so again she couldn't go to church yesterday!! it was the WORST!!! But we know that all things happen for a reason and that ''all these things shall give thee experience and be for thy good.''
AND we also learned and understood mejor DyC 59:9...And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day..."
Wow. How true is that promise!!! That we can be less spotted from the world!!!! I know that by going to church we can keep our selves more clean from the world!!! I know that there is protection in obedience to the commandments of the Lord. Protection AND blessings!!! How neat is that!??!?! Maria Antonia is suffering a lot from this experience...but I know that it will be for her good. But let us learn from her experience and GO TO CHURCH!!! ALWAYS!!! No importa the excuses. Go go go!! Always always always!! :)

Okay...now for the sad sad sad bad bad bad news.
Remember my dear sweet awesome investigators Hector y Carmen?!?! D: Yeah...well we're going to have to drop them. They were progressing mucho much...but the other day when we went to visit them, we were asking about their progress in the Book of Mormon, if they'd prayed to know it's true, etc etc...and out of no where, Hector nicely blew up at us and told us that he wants to know the truth, but on his time and in his own way...and basically told us that we are welcome to keep coming and visiting them, but that for right now, he doesn't have a huge need to know RIGHT NOW...but mas adelante.... :( wwwwaaaaaaaaaa :(
This hurt me a TON!!! These are the people that told me that they wanted to adopt me! They are super great and love love love us. And they really have felt the spirit so strong. It hurts me that they are resisting this great spirit, this great peace, this great love, this great gift from our loving Heavenly Father!! So I might have shed one or two tears for them... :'( But more updates luego...)

Okay...well...that about sums up my week...
oh...but to end on good good good good news!!!!
Socorro Zazueta, my dear sweet investigadora grandma got baptized on Saturday!! In Navojoa!! I wanted to be there so bad....but I am soooo happy for her!!!! wahoo!!!


anywho...gots to go...see ya'll on Sunday!!!!
love,
Hna.Cook

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

2015-4-27 "How Firm a Foundation"

Hola!!! 
I don't got a lot of time...again. We didn't plan our time very effectively. Oops. 
But...wow. 
This week was totally...
''WICKED!!!''  (not in the sense of sins...but in a sense of like super fanstastic and great)

Highhighhighhighhighlights.

Carmen y Hector. 
WOW. What a great week for them. We have been talking about the plan of salvation. 
Things we know about Hector...
-was married before
-was baptized in a Christian church
-is very smart and knows a lot about lots of churches (he told us he is a lot like joseph smith...he said he wouldn't be surprised if he has been to over a 100 churches!! WOW)
-doesn't drink or smoke.
LONG STORY SHORT!!
We had a SUPER great lesson on the plan of salvation. My comp and i can honestly say we were led by the Spirit in this lesson. Such a fantastic feeling. Anywho, we got a talking and he shared with us a very very personal experience. (Wow. Imma cry!!)
 So....he told us that there was a time where he was married to another woman and had kids and everything. He came home one day, something happened, and he left with the clothes he had on his back and 20 pesos (that less than 2 dolars...)
He was literally homeless for 3 months. He was looking for work everywhere but couldn't find any. He was sleeping underneath a bridge, living off the food that people would give him. He said there were tons of people that offered him drugs and alcohol, but he never accepted. There was one time where he hadn't eaten for 3 days!! He said he had promised himself that he would never sink so low as to look for food in the garbage can...but he was very desperate. So he said a prayer and asked God to help him. He said he had been very diligent and faithful as to not accept drugs, and to not steal. He finished his prayer and decided to go to a park near by. As we was sitting on a park bench, there was a lady that had left a huge bag of food near his bench. We she left, we looked, and there were over 70 burritos in the bag. So what does he do? He waits near the bag for more than 2 hours so that if the lady came back, he could return it to her. It became very late, and so he prayed and felt like it was okay for him to take it. So as he was about to eat one, he remembered that there were a lot more homeless people near by, so he went to go share it with them!! Wow. 
But because he did that, one of his homeless buddies told him of a job opening near by for someone that was an accountant. He is very very very well educated and went to go check out the job. The lady didn't believe him at first...but (long story short) eventually did. He got the job. 
He now is here and is a carpenter. (I hope he tells us this story another time!)

SO anywho. There is one amazing story from our dear Hector!! I just love him! He is such a good person and is really really searching the truth!! I am soooo grateful for the Lord and his love for all his children!!! The Lord is truly with us even in our afflictions! Hector has had such a humble life and he has so much faith in Jesus Christ! He is such a good example to me. I feel soooo blessed that the Lord led us to this man and his wife! I feel so inadequate to be teaching him but so so so so grateful. 
My favorite hymn is How Firm A Foundation!! It is soooo beatufiul. All the verses are amazing. I just want to read them all day. But since I cant...you should do it for me :)


  1. 1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
    Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
    What more can he say than to you he hath said,
    Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
    Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
  2. 2. In ev'ry condition--in sickness, in health,
    In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,
    At home or abroad, on the land or the sea--
    As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
    As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.
  3. 3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
    For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
    I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
    Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
    Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
  4. 4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
    The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow,
    For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
    And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,
    And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
  5. 5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
    My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
    The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
    Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,
    Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
  6. 6. E'en down to old age, all my people shall prove
    My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love;
    And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn,
    Like lambs shall they still, like lambs shall they still,
    Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.
  7. 7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
    I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
    That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
    I'll never, no never, I'll never, no never,
    I'll never, no never, no never forsake!

Isaiah 41:10 ¶Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Love you all so much!!!! Make sure to strengthen your foundation in Jesus Christ EVERY DAY!!

Love, Hna.Cook


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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

2015-4-20 The Gospel Blesses Familias :)

Part of our district got together today to play voleibol!! Super fun :)

Happy Monday!!! This week was great!!!. SO MANY GREAT EXPERIENCES!!!

Monday night...wow.
We went to go teach a couple we had found like 2 weeks before. Hector y Carmen. When we had gone previously, they had been only a little interested. Nothing too promising. But when we went back on Monday night. WOW!!!!! They had both read the pamphlet of the restoration and...AND el Hermano Hector had gotten a notebook and had written notes about what he had read and his questions. It was SOOOOO so so so awesome. He understands perfectly the apostasy and why we needed a restoration, and he mentioned a lot about the atonement! He is the coolest!! And his wife too! She doesn't understand it quite on the same level as him, but she is so constant in her prayers and the reading! She has already read the intro to the Book of Mormon and every time we come by she tells us that she likes reading it! SO GREAT! AND she told us of a super cool experience she had. She recently found out that she has cancer :( One day, she was laying down, feeling super weak, when she heard a voice that told her that she was going to get  better, and then...and then she told us she had the image of Jesus holding the lamb in her head...the picture from the pamphlet. It was SUPER duper cool.


Oh, and other great thing, our ward had an activity where we watched ''Meet the Mormons'' and Hector y Carmen came! It was great and they really liked it. (They better, because we gonna baptize them!!!) And miracle...we thought they weren't married legally...but psych! They are!!!!!!! Blessings blessings blessings!!!

Okay...and for our other family. :D :D :D :D I love them.  Maria Antonia and Carlos. Maria A is the one we found when we knocked on the wrong (right) door :D  She is LOVING everything we have been teaching. But, we were a little bit nervous because of her husband, Carlos. He is a little bit of a drinker..and is not always the nicest husband...from what we've heard. AND...he told us straight up that he is Catholic and didn't want to listen.  Rayos. BUUUUUUUUUUT...the other day when we were there, he would listen a little..leave...listen..leave..and then listen. And then he started asking questions to try and attack our beliefs...but you can't beat the restored gospel...never ever ever. So yeah. We won the question round :) But we did it lovingly..so we're all good :)

Then, when we went on Friday, they told us that they would all come on  Sunday. ''do you want us to have someone pick you up?'' ''No, we can go by ourselves''  Ok...esta bien.  So all Saturday night we were super nervous. We wanted them there SO BADLY!!!  And...as we pulled up to the church on Sunday, there they were on the corner of the church!! We were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited. You have NO idea. Hermano Carlos had even combed his hair!! It was the coolest thing ever.  Later that night we went to visit them...and long story short...they know  they need to get married civilly because they want to be married for the eternity, and Carlos said that he is trying to quit drinking! And we didn't even tell him to!! He is doing it all by himself!! We have seen SUCH A HUGE DIFFERENCE in this family!!! In the beginning, they were always yelling at each other, giving nasty looks at each other etc. And now, they are smiling at each other, more patient with each other, and are even talking about getting married!!! It is the greatest thing ever to see the gospel work in the lives of people.

I KNOW that this is the true church of Jesus Christ!
This really is His GOSPEL and it BLESSES THE LIVES of all those that are WILLING TO LIVE IT!!
I am sooo grateful and humble to be here in Mexico. I love love love love love love LOVE the people here!! So grateful for the experience to see the gospel change their lives!!

Love you all so much!!!
Keep living what you KNOW!! You will be happy! :D

Love,
Hermana Cook

The hermana in the middle brings us food every Sunday!!! And she's not even in our ward!! She is the sweetest!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

2015-4-13 Know it! Live it! LOVE IT!!!....& Blessed art thou...

*TENDER MERCY!!!!! Long story short...got to see my first baptism!!! Angelica!! She is the little sister of a brother in our ward and they came to visit for 5 minutes...the 5 minutes we just happened to be there!!! It was SOOOOO cute. She greeted us all...and then when she recognized me..she was like ''...HNA:COOK!!!!'' SOOO cute!! Tender tender mercies!
 So I was reading in Alma 45 one day this week...and I liked something. (shocker...jaja not)
Alma is asking his son, Helaman, some questions.
Q: do you believe what I told you about the scriptures?
A: yes.
Q:do you believe in Jesus Christ?
A: Yes.
Q:Will you keep the commandments?
A: Yes
''Blessed art thou;and the Lord shall prosper thee in the land.''

If you too can answer yes to these questions, you too are blessed!! And God will prosper you in the land!!! Want to know how I know that he will? Because God can't lie!!!! That's why :)
 So we just need to make sure we are doing our part, and God will always fulfill his part :) Always and forever.

So this week was packed full of jam!! jam packed!! And I am sooo tired. But it's fine.  From what it sounds like, with school, family, and callings I will never not be tired...so that's pretty neat... :D

So...for the most important things...Remember the investigator we found because we went to the wrong house of our other investigador?!?! Yeah well...she is the coolest!! Maria Antonia. She really has been super prepared from all the trials and problems she has had (and still has) in her life! Reminds me of the scripture in Alma 32:12-16 about being humble from our experiences.
13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

Anywho...yeah. She is super willing to learn and do whatever to feel the peace she has felt in our lessons. She is starting to pray by herself and she LOVES it. She feels SO MUCH PEACE!! We invited her to baptism and everything, and she has a lot of doubts, but she feels like it is what she needs to do! It is sooo amazing! And even better, we had a member with us this week and yeah...it was PERFECT!!! She got baptized about 2 or 3 months ago. She had a ton of doubts about her baptism too, and about going to church when she has 3 kids...ages 3, 2, and 0, etc etc. But she shared a powerful testimony and un buen of experiences about her conversion and it was magical! On Sunday, Maria was talking to Lupita (the member) and she told her that her testimony is what helped her to come to church! She remembered what she had said and it gave her the motivation to go! I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO grateful for all the wonderful members here!!!. I love love love love love this gospel. And I know it's true. Maria too. She told us she felt like everything was complete and right here. She was super happy with her experience.

Other investigator, Magdalena. Magdalena is super duper great!!! Her son is a member (and is the husband of Lupita who just got baptized and came with us to visit Maria...). She has a lot of fe (faith) and is just the best! Her baptismal day is for 25 de Abril, and we were a little nervous because she drinks a lot of coffee...But...we brought a handy dandy MEMBER and she threw it down with her testimony!! Magdalena is super great and has also been prepared. She told us she used to smoke a lot too, but gave it up a couple of years ago. She told us it was SUPER hard, but she knows she can give up coffee because she has given up smoking. God prepares his children. I love God :)

Anywho...that was the most amazing part of my life this week.
I really love love love this gospel SO MUCH and I love seeing it work in the lives of these beautiful,  wonderful and humble people!!!

I love you all so much! I know this church is true. I know that if we LIVE the Gospel, we WILL HAVE the blessings of the gospel!!
Know it. Live it. LOVE IT!
Love,
Hermana Cook
the sister missionaries of Cajeme!

2015-4-6 Feliz Cumpleaños a Jesucristo!!

April 6th!!! Happy Birthday to my favorite Elder Brother!!!! I don't have lots of time to write lots of scriptures...but if you want to know how I feel for Jesus just read 2 Nephi 9!!! I know that Jesus came to free us from the monster of death, both spiritual and temporal!! Gracias a que El Vive!!!
I am very very content with this Easter and conference weekend! It was very lovely and we had a lot of good moments this week. It was a very CRAZY week, but I was super blessed all week. like always :)

My new house is...well...it's not as nice as the last house. but it's a house. And I’m going to be showering out of a bucket for the last 3 months of my mission. Wahoo!! :)

We are sharing a house with none other than my dear friend...HERMANA LINDSLEY!!!!! She is opening an area in our ward...so they are looking for a house...but until they can find one she and her cute companion are living with us. Life is the greatest.

Had zone conference on Friday. Super great. Our training was a little bit last minute but went SUPER well...we talked about Jesus and inviting people to be baptized in the first lesson. so yeah...The spirit helped us out A TON!!!
Zone conference!! This is gonna be my last zone!!! CRAZY!!!
And...speaking of inviting people to be baptized in the first lesson...
We invited 2 families (husband and wife) to be baptized this week, they accepted the invitation and a date to be baptize in May!! It was SOOOOO awesome and my comp was sooo cute. She has never invited anyone to be baptized in the first lesson and now she is seeing the blessings of doing it. She is SUPER pumped. It is soooooooo fun to be a missionary!!
Oh..and quick tender mercy. So we went to go visit an investigator on Friday. We had been to her house 2 times before, but when we went to visit her, we went to the wrong  house. I have NO idea how we did it, but we did. We felt a little bit embarrassed, but we decided to contact them anyway. SOOOO glad that God helped us with that mistake!! The lady was super sweet and told us she really wanted us to come back. And she and her husband are the ones that accepted to be baptized!!  God really does know how to make the best out of EVERY situation. Just got to trust him.

Okay. Conference again. SO GREAT!!! love love love love loved it.
Don't have time to expound...but I am sooo grateful for our Prophet and all the other leaders of the church. LOVED the talks in the Spanish language!! I know that my mission president is going to be one of those one day, speaking Spanish to the whole world in front of the prophet!!!!
hahaha...what we do in between conference sessions :) H. Lindsley, H. Amador (mycomp) H. Morales, YO!


Um...other than that, I know that Jesus Christ LIVES and LOVES us.
oh sweet the joy this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives!!!

Love,
Hermana Cook


Monday, April 6, 2015

2015-3-30 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step...so make the step!


So....I have been full circle.
I made my way back to Obregon!! The city of my mission :)  I've been so blessed to have been in almost all the major cities of my mission!! Obregon, Guasave, Mochis and Navojoa!!! I only missed out on Guamochil and El Fuerte! Most of my comps have only been in Mochis and Obregon...so I feel pretty blessed :)

But...with that being sad, I was SO sad to leave my dear Aeropuerto!  I had a feeling I was going to change...but it was still hard. But I felt blessed to be able to say goodbye to my dearest members and investigadores!! I can't believe how fast that 6 months went!!

So I don't have a lot of time...but I was thinking about something that happened yesterday.
Presidente Munive sent a text message to me and my comp to ask about our investigadores and other things...and because it was a little bit longer of a message, some of the message didn't come at the same time. We received the end of the message before the first part. The end of the message said something along the lines of ''The Lord will come next Sunday.'' My comp and I were chuckling about how our President is so so great that he knows when the second coming is. When the complete message came it said that the Easter of the lord would come next Sunday...that made a lot more sense.

BUT..... my comp and I started to think about that. What if were did know when the 2nd coming was going to come. Would we live a little bit differently if we knew that Jesus would be coming this Sunday? Would we maybe make time to read our scriptures a little bit more?  Take time to having morning and evening prayers as a family? Repent of old habits? Maybe show a little bit more love to our family? Do our visiting teaching to warn our brothers and sisters!?! What would we do differently if we knew the Savior would be coming THIS SUNDAY!!!

Well...Alma had the same idea...or...we had the same idea as Alma.. :)
Alma 5: 26 “And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
 27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
 28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.”

Well maybe we don't know when Jesus will come again, but we should live EVERY DAY like it were our last day of preparation.

I know that I have a lot of work to do!!! Lots and lots.
But a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step :) 
So choose ye this day to make the step!!

I love you all so much!!!! Keep  being strong and using the Atonement!!

Love,

Hermana Cook

Monday, March 30, 2015

2015-3-23 prayreadyourscriptureshavefamilyhomeeveningandgotothetemple!



The girl in the red is an RM in our ward!! She is the bomb.com!! Estefania y Flor!!

Okay okay okay...this week.
I don't know what happened...but it was not a week of success like the week before...que feo.
We didn't have a lot of success finding new people, no lessons with members (but...I attribute that to the fact that a guy in our ward died and all the members were helping with the funeral...pobrecito), we didn't contact a lot of people, etc etc. No bueno.

So Yesterday I gave a talk based on the talk from conference by Elder Scott. It was about making faith a priority*.  God has given us 4 great tools to help us live happier, successful, better lives. Pray, read scriptures, Family Home Evening, and going to the temple. I really loved the talk and I know that everything he said was true! So as I  sat down next to my compy, she reminded me that we didn't have any investigadores in sacrament meeting. I immediately felt a little bit sad and disappointed. We had 5 people promise that they were going to come to church!! We even had members that had promised to pick them up...and nobody was there. I was feeling very discouraged.  But as I was thinking about my sadness, I remembered what I had just talked about. I had just born my testimony to the members that if they did those 4 things, they would be happier and have more peace and joy etc.   I am doing those things...so why am I not happy (in this moment?!?!) Because happiness is a choice!!!!! Yes, it's a lot easier to be happy when everything goes well, but in the end, we have to make the choice.

It reminded me of a scripture in Alma 62. This is the second to last chapter in Alma, and like ya'll know, the book of Alma is known for the war chapters. So this part is talking about the end of the war and how the war changed the people...
62:41 “But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.”
These people lived through the same ward. The result was that some were hardened and others were softened. The moral of the story?! We choose our attitudes! So...choose to be the person that is softened.
I'm not gonna lie, although I had this wonderful thought, I was not happy all day...but it's a work in progress :) Baby steps.

Other experiences of the week...
We went to visit an old investigator this week. She told us she had been really sad because no one had visited her in a long time. So we felt good that we had stopped by. She was much more interested in our message this time :)  We talked about prayer and invited her to pray every day. When we came back the next time, she told us that the day after she prayed, one of her sons that she hadn't seen in a very long time came to visit her. :D We were super happy for her experience.

At the funeral of this guy in our ward, I played the violin as some other missionaries sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”. There were TONS of people at his funeral. And so this week, as we were walking, there were lots of people that we didn't know coming up to us and telling us we did a good job. hahahaha and there are a lot of people that call me 'la cook''   hahaha sooo funny.

Had a special zone conference with President and his wife. Talked about a lot of things, but the pascua...Easter.   Read Exodus 12 :) And then watched the new video that the church made
''Because He Lives''!!! Very Beautiful!
http://www.mormon.org/easter


Well I think that about sums up my time.
Be good, be happy, prayreadyourscriptureshavefamilyhomeeveningandgotothetemple!!!!!ohandchoosetobehappy!!!

Love you all!!!!

Hermana Cook

*Quotes I LOVED from this talk :)
Protect your children from daily worldly influences by fortifying them with the powerful blessings that result from family prayer. Family prayer should be a nonnegotiable priority in your daily life.
-''Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!''
-''Decide that on Monday night your family will be together at home for the evening. Do not let employment demands, sports, extracurricular activities, homework, or anything else become more important than that time you spend together at home with your family.''
-Sister Linda S. Reeves boldly declared: “I must testify of the blessings of daily scripture study and prayer and weekly family home evening. These are the very practices that help takeaway stress, give direction to our lives, and add protection to our homes
-
We all know there’s no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend, use it often.  Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there.
-
These four tools are fundamental habits for securing your life in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Remember our Savior is the Prince of Peace. Peace in this mortal life comes from His atoning sacrifice. When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.”
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/make-the-exercise-of-faith-your-first-priority?lang=eng

2015-3-16 I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!!!



An hermana in our ward that is super great :) Marielos!!

Okay...I just got on....just to get off. ...We had a meeting in Obregon so we just got back to Navojoa.
I wrote for like 5 minutes when we were waiting for the bus....but no hay tiempo ;(   but next week....hopefully.

But it was a good good good good week. We had 4 people come to church and all of them have dates of baptism...for April. I don't think I’ll be here...but....it feels good to know I helped... :)
But...real quick.
2 of the 4 people are called Olivia and Heriberto, they are married...in their 60's...I think. Anywho...they are soooo cute. They talk A TON but are super nice and are very open to listen. They have both had a TON of crazy experiences in their lives, but they are really good people. So after sacrament meeting, we asked how they felt and Heriberto told us that he felt soooooo good. So clean. He said he felt something different that makes him want to be a better person and help other people.
This, brothers and sisters, is the gospel in action!!!!! It reminded me of the scripture in
Mosiah 5:2..."And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."

Wow...I LOVE THE SPIRIT!!!! He truly does testify of truth.  He helped Heriberto and Olivia feel the truth, want to change and ''to do good continually.'' So thankful for the Holy Spirit!!!

Oh...and the Holy Ghost also testified to Socorro, our other investigator that came to church. When we first started teaching her (in her 70s) she did not understand anything. We would explain things very very very simply, and then ask her what we said...and fijate no mas...she didn't remember anything. BUT because she is super  sweet and wants to learn and has a open heart, the spirit really has worked with her. We gave her the pamphlet of lesson 3, about the gospel of Jesus Christ, and she understood everything!!! She told us about how she needs to be baptized and then confirmed in order to receive the Holy Ghost!!!! What!?!?! What investigator understands and uses words like confirmation!!?? It was a truly lovely experience.

So there is my testimony of the Holy Ghost.  I know that it is truly one of the greatest blessings
to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. It makes me want to live more worthy so I can always always always have his guidance and help and comfort and peace and love and joy and everything good. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!

So...be good and worthy so that you can have the spirit with you and then help others :)
LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!

Con mucho amor,  Hermana Cook

hahahahahahahaa...this is our neighbor....
We like to make her mad...because it is hilarious.
But I think she loves us even though she wants to tear us to pieces :)


Monday, March 23, 2015

2015-3-9 Keeping Commandments = BLESSINGS!!!!!!!!!!!


Hola hola!!!
This week was soooooooooooooooo slow all week...but then BAM. It ended and now we just started a new one!!!
My compy and I are in week 4 of the transfer and I have no idea how!! I decided I really want to finish my mission here :) This ward is the best best best and I love my companion, love my investigators, and I love being here. haahah...Let's see what President says :)
Bowling with Hermana Munive (mission president's wife)

So this week...
We went to Obregon for the consejo...and...when we got there President called with a super sweet surprise!!! Pres. Monson would be coming to visit us!!!!!!!!!  Not.  But....we were going...BOWLING!!! So that was fun. I didn't win...but my compy and I did beat the zone leaders...so all is well in Zion ;) jajaja

Isela didn't come to church because her uncle died...so we will be talking about family history this week and what she can do to help him :)
1 Cor. 15: 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?  The sting of death  is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
The loss of a loved one is always hard, but it need not be something tragic. Only for those that die in their sins....so repent :) And get baptized :) And keep the commandments forever :) And for us that have been baptized....GO TO THE TEMPLE AND DO THE WORK FOR THE DEAD!!!! It is also  part of the work of salvation :) So go and do :)

This week we had great success with Olivia y Margarita. Olivia is the grandpa of Margarita (8 years). They live very simply but are so great! Margarita's parents...well...are not living like they should be, and so Olivia had Margarita come stay with her so that she is not messed up when she grows up. And Margarita is a DOLL!!!! Sooooo cute!!! She was SOOOO excited to come to church and wants to be baptized because she never was baptized :) Olivia and her husband (both of 65ish years) are a little bit slow in their learning...but they are soooo sweet!! As we were explaining something to them...very simply...again...Heriberto told us that he was so grateful that we were there and were really trying to help them understand. I have sooo much love for this cute little family. I want to see them baptized soooo bad!!!  Olivia and Margarita came to church on Sunday and they both loved it!! Olivia told us that she wants all her kids and family to come and have them all get baptized. It was the coolest thing ever! LOVE THEM!!

We also had a really great lesson with Asucena and her 2 kids about the Sabbath day...but they didn't come. I'm really sad about that one...but we're going to give it one more week...again. I just can't say goodbye to this family!! They are trying so hard and we have already seen a difference in their lives with the short time we've been teaching them!

Um....what else happened?!?! Lots of walking and LOTS of mosquito bites. I don't think there is ever a moment when I don't feel like scratching off my legs...but helps me remember that I have legs and I am grateful for that :)

General Conference is getting closer and closer and I am getting SO EXCITED!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE conference :)
Well...I got to go but I love you all so much!!!! Keep going to the temple to help others and keep going to church to renew your covenants!!! Commandments = BLESSINGS!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

Love, Hna.Cook