January 7, 2013

We get our transfer calls today but since I am with the Zone Leaders they tell us as they get them. Unfortunately as I am writing this the email has not come yet, but maybe by the time I finish it will be in. Part of me wants to see other parts of Perth, but I love Heathridge so I am good no matter what happens. This week our investigator has been struggling. We pushed back her baptism date back a week because she has struggled with smoking. We had a really good lesson with her last night that was focused on praying when we need help. The Spirit was really strong.

So I just got the transfer update. I am going north of my area to an area called Butler. The biking part of it is a small area, but it goes up north to an area called Yanchep. I will be in the Mindarie ward which is supposed to be a great ward. I am really excited to be going up there. They also have some baptism dates up there which will be nice to work with those. Another plus is there is a park up there that has koalas, so hopefully I will have a chance to go up there for P-day sometime.

Sorry not much to say this week, it was a bit slow and it has not been a full week. Next week I promise to write a lot about my new area and companion. I do hope that you use Preach My Gospel more, it is an amazing book. I think all members should use it, to know at least a little about the lessons so they can talk to their friends about it, or to help the missionaries. And there are really good parts of it that can be applied to everyone. That would be a great way to help the youth start to prepare it to introduce them to Preach My Gospel. I regret not spending as much time as I should have studying it before I left, and this year I am going to make sure to study it every day, and to make sure to study it effeciently.

I love you so much

Elder Cook

Happy New Year

 It has been pretty hot lately. Yesterday was cooler, and I think next week it is supposed to rain sometime, which will be nice. Transfers are next week, so we will see what happens. Part of me wants to leave and see other parts of Perth, while part of me wants to stay because of Nikki's baptism. We started her on the Stop Smoking Program, but she relapsed, but gave her a blessing, and even with the relapse it was two in four days, instead of her normal 10 a day. She is also going to a baptism on Saturday, which will be great for her to see what goes on. Besides that not much has happened. It has been really nice to be teaching Nikki so we have someone to focus on, since it was a really slow week besides that. We also got a new investigator yesterday. She was a referral from other missionaries. She said she will read the Book of Mormon, and she has a lot of free time so hopefully she will read.

Thank you to the Youth for the letters and the gifts, I really appreciate it. Having been in your shoes not that long ago, I will try to tell you what could have helped me.The mutual theme for this year is "Stand in Holy Places" as you know. One of the holiest places you can be is in your home with your family. I know you may not believe me because of your nagging parents or your annoying younger siblings. There is a special power of a family, something I never understood until I got on my mission. One day you will be away from your family, and you will realize you will miss them, and fully realize how much you love them. When I enter a home of a family that is living the Gospel, there is a strong Spirit there, and as a missionary I get to be a part of it, and then make it even stronger. strive to recognize that spirit that is in your homes, and do your best to make it stronger. There is so much bad stuff in the world today, and your home should be a place where you can seek refuge from that evil. I also know that you are faced with evil everywhere. I was in high school not that long ago, and I know the choices you are faced with. No matter the circumstance remember you are a Child of God. At baptism you made a promise to "stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9). This is not an easy thing to do, I know it is hard, and at times you may feel that you are alone, and the world is against you. When you feel like this I want you to remember this one promise: "If God before us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). You will never stand alone when you stand with God. When you stand with him, he will bless you. In this New Year choose to be that witness. Young Men Choose now to prepare for missions and start preparing now. Everyone should read Preach My Gospel, and know it before you come out. That is something I wish I had done better. Do not be afraid to have religious discussions with your friends. You do not have to invite them to take the lessons, but just let them know you are members, and what you believe, and then show what you believe through your actions. I love all of you and cannot wait to see how much you have grown since I left.

 

 

love

elder cook

Merry Christmas from Australia

Here is a clip of us talking to Alex on Christmas Eve. He wanted to wish everyone a merry Christmas. Talking to him was so great. He sounded so happy and it was amazing to actually see him.

Almost Christmas

It is finally starting to feel like Christmas. It is weird with it being warm and seeing Christmas decorations everywhere. Saturday and Sunday was a Christmas concert and then a fireside which were both really good and really made it feel like Christmas. My feelings on Christmas would be how it is an amazing part of the year. It is a time for family and friends to be together. While the social side is important we have to remember the true meaning of Christmas. So many people we meet just say how busy they are, which is natural, but we have to not be so busy that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. Christmas is a time to remember the Savior and his great life. Most importantly it is a time to remember the two most important gifts that have been given. Heavenly Father gave us his Son. Then Christ gave himself to help us gain eternal life, something we could not do ourselves. While gifts are part of Christmas, they should remind us of these gifts, not distract from them. The great thing about being a missionary is not being busy preparing for Christmas. This has allowed me to think about the real meaning behind it. Everyone should make the time to really reflect on Christ and what he has given to us.

 

This was another up and down week. Lots of people have not been at home, so it has been hard trying to teach people. One day it was raining and only one person was home all day. But on Saturday we had a really good lesson with a former investigator. She had a baptismal date but she could not give up smoking. I had taught her when I first came out, but we did not think she was going to progress so we dropped her. On Saturday she said she had cut back on smoking since that visit. Then later that day she called us and told us she had already completed the Book of Mormon reading we had left. Then she said she would be willing to cut back or even stop smoking altogether. Then she called this morning and told us she was excited for our next visit on Saturday. Hopefully she will pray about the Book of Mormon and will give up smoking.

 

That was pretty much it for this week, as it has gotten closer to Christmas people tell us to come back after Christmas, so it has been slowing down. And the week between Christmas and New Years will be slow. our Pday was moved to that Wednesday, and then Thursday we are going to the temple and having training at the Mission Home.

 

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder Cook