Chevron

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

Thursday, March 19, 2015

2015-3-2 Keep the Commandments & prosper


So yesterday was stake conference for the stake Yaqui!!! Elder Salinas came to talk to this wonderful people. The first thing he said when he started his talk is that he was following the Spirit and was changing everything he prepared....hijole.

He started talking about keeping the commandments and how those who keep the commandments always always always prosper in the land. It is a promise and who is God not to keep his promises?!?!  And then he started planching the people on....tithing and fast offerings.

Wow....it was intense. Very intense. hahahaha my comp told me she felt like she was in a Christian church service because he was veeeeery animated. But it was totally awesome!!! I love the leaders of the church!! The are seriously the greatest!! And the promises he made to these people was suuuuuuper awesome. He told them if they pay their tithing, this people, Navojoa...or known as ´´polvojoa´´ ...polvo is dirt in Spanish...so yeah...it's like a dirt town...but he told them that this land would become more populated and the crime would decrease and a whole bunch of other super cool things.
But...with that being said....It's sooooo true!!!!  I don't know how many times the Book of Mormon says the phrase ''Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land...'' but I know that it's a lot. And I know that is is toooootally true!!! If we only just keep the commandments, we will prosper in the land!!! Maybe we won't be super rich and have lots of money...but prospering and being rich aren't the same thing....I think being prospered by God is so much better!!!!! A lot!!!! So take the council of Jacob 6:12 and be wise!! What can I say more?!?! :)

Once again I can't remember a whole lot from this week.....but I just know that I LOVE MY COMPANION!!!!! She is the bestest of ever!!!! Hna. Carvajal! She's from Columbia and is just yeah...the best!!! Works so hard, teaches like a boss, likes to clean the house, and is a spiritual giant in a tiny tiny body :) LOVE HER!!!

Update on investigators...
Dropped Osmara :'( sooooo sad. But I will keep praying for her!!! She will be baptized some day. I know it.)
Isela!! She is reading the Book of Mormon and is liking it! And she came to church yesterday...so yeah. She is the best. Her kids stopped listening...but poco a poco.

Asucena y hijos. They came to the church on Wednesday to play sports. The members were suuuuper great and welcomed them and were super supportive! But they didn't come to church on Sunday :( If they don't come this week we'll have to drop them :( But I have lots of faith and hope for them. They are SUPER great and sooo receptive. And they just have soooo much potential!! I love teaching families!!!!

We looked up an old investigator, Ben, but only his son was there and he told us he is reading the Book of Mormon!! And we have never even taught him!!!! Super great. Just is hard because whenever we pass by they are never there.....rayos! But we're going to keep stopping by until they get baptized...jajaja :)

I have been to Obregon every week for the past 3 weeks and again tomorrow. Wow...tufesa (the bus company) is gonna be my best friend forever :) We are together a lot!! hahaha

I started reading the bible...and yeah. It is actually super duper cool. Not gonna lie, sometimes I don't understand everything...but I really do love it. I've been thinking a lot about faith lately and I need to have more. A lot more. So thank you everyone for your great examples of faith!! I hope I can have faith like you all someday...someday soon!!!!

Um....what else??  I love love love love love the church!!! The gospel of Jesus Christ!!! It is like the truest thing out there!!! I am soooooooo blessed to have been born of goodly parents who were born of goodly parents who were also born of goodly parents into the true and only church of Jesus Christ. Yup. So so so so blessed!!! #countyourblessings :)

Love you all so much!!
Keep the commandments!!!!!

Until next week!!!

Looooooooooove,
Hermana Cook

Sunday, February 22, 2015

2015-2-16 I love the spirit! I love the gospel and I love SHARING THE GOSPEL!


In the church with Osmara and our CTR/HLJ rings

Funny funny FUNNY story. Once upon a time there were transfers coming. And they came...
All week I felt like I wasn't going to change. It was weird, in all of my other transfers, I knew I was going to change, but this time I didn't feel like that.  I have 3 transfers here in Aeropuerto, my companion solo one, and she felt like she was going to change.
We got the calls at 6ish...and I was right...again!! I'm STAYING IN AEROPUERTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and my comp is leaving :( But she's going to my beloved Guasave...so she should be happy :)

It's a funny story because...well...you people that know me well know that I have a weird fascination with numbers and patterns....well guess what happened...
1st area...1 transfer
2nd area...2 transfers
3rd area...3 transfers
4th area....4 TRANSFERS!!!!

Yup. 1234, 1234!!!! Can life get any better?!?! I submit that it cannot!! jajaja Good times. God loves me :)

Anyway...for this week...We had some really really good days...and other days less good. But we felt good about our work this week.
We reached our goal to talk to 50 people in the street!! It was super crazy and super fun. Talking 10 ten people every day is difficult but it's sooo worth the effort!

hahaha...so we had our zone conference. I gave my presentation and then we had a practice. FAIL!!
But it was my first time being in charge of the practice...so yeah...I am soooo learning from my mistakes. I just wish it didn't make me feel so humble...ja ja ja ja ja...deep breaths and baby steps :)

Okay...super duper cool experience today in Tufesa ( the bus station place)
We were sitting there, waiting for my comp to leave and others to get there, and there was this man, 55 anos mas o menos, with a huge cowboy hat, pirate earrings in both ears, and just a super crazy cowboy mustache. Since there was a bunch of missionaries in the central, we were all talking and not paying much attention to anybody. But he started to talk to us because he's actually from Wyoming. Well the elders that were next to him weren't really talking to him, so I decided to talk to him...why not. LONG STORY SHORT...his twin brother just died...so we started talking about the plan of salvation. He actually was taking the lessons from the missionaries a few years ago and really really likes our religion. He has had bad experiences with religions in the past, so he doesn't practice one right now. BUT he has read the Book of Mormon and really likes it. AND he told me that if he were to start going to a church, he would go to ours.
Jump a little bit backward. Earlier that day, I was thinking about what I was going to bring to the bus station and last minute I grabbed a baby Book of Mormon en English...just in case one of the elders wanted one. Well as I was talking to this man, he mentioned how he wanted to read the Book of Mormon again...but he doesn't speak Spanish very well...and all of our material is in Spanish...BUT WAIT...I have my baby Book of Mormon brand spanking new!! So I gave it to him and he was SUPER excited to have it!!! He has a long ride home and wanted to read it!! How cool is that?!?! And even better, he gave me his address so that we can send the missionaries to his house!!!!!!!!!!
It was the coolest day ever!!!
I love the spirit and I love the gospel and I love SHARING THE GOSPEL!!! It's the best :)

You should all do it too!!!
And remember 1 Cor.15:58--Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!
oh...and Happy Valentines day!!!!
Love, Hermana Cook
I got to play the violin again!! LOVE IT!!! (remind me to practice when I get home...okay :)



2015-2-9 The Atonement & 1 yr in Mexico


Guess what??! It's not ''cold'' anymore!!!!!!! Yup.  Mexico is hot hot hot again.
But this is only the beginning!!! Welcome back sweat rags and tan lines!!!!!!!! hahaha
Anywho...Well...this week went by super fast and I can't remember what happened.

OH...Feb 3 I completed 1 year in Mexico!!!!!!! I cannot even believe how fast that went by!
Flashback to my 1st day in Mexico with Pres. Munive and his wife--1 year anniversary!!!

 I love Mexico!! It's super great and the food is the most amazing food on the planet!! If you ever want to visit Mexico...make sure you go to Sonora!! BEST FOOD EVER!!! And the people are super great too (hahahaha not to eat...just good people).  So yeah...1 year happened :) I still can't speak Spanish very well....in fact, my comp told me that when she heard she was going to be my comp, every told her ''hna. Cook is super great! super sweet, super funny, works hard,....but can't speak Spanish very well'' ...so yeah...there's that. But it's okay...I am learning soooo much patience these days :)

Thursday I went up to Obregon for the consejo de liderazgo!!! (leadership conference)

SO GREAT!!! I am always always amazed at how many great great missionaries there are here!! Seriously, future leaders of the church are coming forth from the Mexico  Cuidad Obregon mission!! We learned more about the GREAT importance to do our family history work and getting others to do it too!!! It's SOOOO important. Moses 3:7...God's work and glory is the immortality and salvation of us his children...and not just the living ones!! We are here to do the work of SALVATION!!! Salvation for all!! So yeah...get doing your family history work and then...GO TO THE TEMPLE!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!

There's a ton of other things they talked about...but don't got time for that.  Just remember to be happy and remember that GOD LOVES YOU!!!! He sent his Son so that we could have salvation!! We believe that ALL MANKIND may be saved through the ATONEMENT OF CHRIST and through OBEDIENCE to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel :) 

My companion received some very very very disheartening and sad news about some family members...so that was a little stressful. But we can testify of the power of the priesthood and how service to others helps us feel better :) Service is the medicine of the soul :)

We had a SUPER powerful lesson with Osmara on Saturday with a member from our ward...but she still won't commit to a baptismal date. :( So on Sunday we had a heart to heart goodbye lesson :( It really broke my heart. She has made SO much progress. But Satan is a bully and really is working hard on her. She knows all of it is true, she just needs to have more faith than fear!! Something I am also learning. So we are praying for her and know that she will someday make these important covenants with God...

Although we were SUPER heartbroken... God helped us with Karina and Isela!! Isela is the sister of a member in our ward and yeah. Super great they are!! Only had 1 lesson with them and She came to church for all 3 hours!! And liked it!! When we visited them later, Isela prayed and thanked God for the great experience in church that day!! IT was super neat and we are excited to see their progress :)

I know that this church is true! It really is the church of Jesus Christ!! How cool it is to say that!! LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this gospel! So grateful that I, like Nephi, was born of GOODLY parents! The most goodly of them all!!!
I know that Heavenly Father loves us, sent his Son to die for us, and with His life we can live with them forever! I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real and can really really really truly heal all wounds...physically and spiritually!!
I love being a missionary and want to improve every day!! It's very true the scripture in John 7:17...and if any man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself.

I love you all so much!! Keep me updated on your lives...por favor :) LES QUIERO MUCHO!!!!!!!

forever yours,
Hna. Cook :)


2015-2-2 Repentance a change of mind and heart.

MUCHA AGUA!!!!  this week!!!

In Guyamas to renew our visas

There was so much rain this week!!!But yeah...Rain + dirt = MUD!!! 
lots and lots of mud...everywhere. haha.

Ummm.... this week was...a week.  I'm glad it's over and I'm ready to start a new one. The end.

hahaha...okay. It's true that obedience brings blessings and happiness (Mosiah 2:41).  I learned that from both sides this week.
Granted, we weren't super disobedient, but we weren't as anxiously engaged in a good cause 100% of the time and didn't reach our goals and yeah. It doesn't feel good :( Sad face.

But I am grateful for this opportunity to learn from my mistakes and try again. And again. And again :) This is why the Atonement is just the greatest thing ever!!!!!  Moroni 6:8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.

I know what the scripture says is true! Super true!!! As oft as we repent we will be forgiven! But, it's important to remember what repentance is. It is not just a simple ''I'm sorry'' and all is good and fine. ''Repentance is more than simply acknowledging wrongdoings. It is a change of mind and heart. It includes turning away from sin and turning to God for forgiveness. It is motivated by love for God and the sincere desire to obey His commandments.''   As oft as we try and turn away from our sins and our mistakes and have a change of mind and heart, He will forgive us!! I am super grateful for that promise. And as DyC 58:31 says  Who am I, saith the Lord, that have promised and have not fulfilled? 

Anywho...there's a tiny message for ya'll.

Updates.
Osmara is doing well...ish. We had a super great lesson with her yesterday. We watched that little video of the mercy and justice and the guy that was in debt and couldn't pay for himself...but that's when his Jesus, steps in and says that he will pay the debt if we accept him as our creditor. I LOVE that video. It is soooo great!!!  And Osmara liked it too. She told us she needs to be baptized...but when we tried to get her to accept 14 de febrero...she said NO!!!!! We both could not believe it!!!!!!!!!!! But we are praying super hard and fasted and I really do think that she will be baptized that day. She is super ready and God is ready for her :)

Other than Osmara, we don't have anyone progressing really fast. But we did find this father that is SUPER nice and his 2 sons and his wife and they are just great and he read the pamphlet and the intro to the Book of Mormon and has A LOT of potencial!!! So yeah. We are happy.

I really do love my companion.  We have a lot of good times together. And I am super grateful that she is patient with me. I am soooooooo imperfect. A lot.
I read this from the talk Pres. Uchtdorf gave this past conference. LOVE LOVE LOVE
''The Church is a home for all to come together, regardless of the depth or the height of our testimony. I know of no sign on the doors of our meetinghouses that says, “Your testimony must be this tall to enter.”

The Church is not just for perfect people, but it is for all to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.”  The Church is for people like you and me. The Church is a place of welcoming and nurturing, not of separating or criticizing. It is a place where we reach out to encourage, uplift, and sustain one another as we pursue our individual search for divine truth.''

I KNOW that as we come unto Christ, we will become perfected in Him. No importa if you are the Relief Society president, or on the break the fast committee. If you read your scriptures every day or don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon yet. EVERYBODY needs Christ. Erabody.
He is the ONLY way. He LOVES us so much. A lot. :) Let us not wait to come unto him tomorrow, or in a week, or when we don't have stress and problems and school and kids and debt etc. Come unto Christ TODAY!! And you'll be happy you did. I guarantee it :) (hahah feel like a mr. mack commercial...lol)

I love you all so much!!! For reals. Love love love love love love love love love all of you!!!
Be good and remember that everybody around you is a child of God.
Remember, then treat them like one :)

Love,
Hna.Cook

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuv,
hermana cook..