Happy New Year!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I know mine was fantastic. I feel so spoiled as a missionary - everyone was giving us gifts, candy, or just nice greetings. It has been a good week!

 

We had Beth and Ali at church yesterday and we got a text this morning from Joey's mom saying they want to have the baptism this Saturday at 3, which was definitly an answer to thousands of prayers. Life is going very well for Sister Ott and I in this area.

 

We went on exchanges this past Saturday as well and I had the pleasure of planning the whole day, it felt like I was white-washing again because I still don't know the area very well. I don't know what we would do if we didn't have a GPS - those things are really lifesavers for missionaries.

 

We were also able to attend a leadership meeting this past Friday with President and Sister Clark from BYU Idaho. It was so fun because as soon as I walked up to President Clark he recognized me and reminded me about how he and my dad worked together in the scouts 20 years ago. It was so fun to see them and hear from him about missionary work and how to best serve here. My testimony has grown so much of Article of Faith 5 - we are called by prophecy and revelation. These men are truly called to serve.

 

We have another meeting this Thursday - it will be my first time attending MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) and I am excited to learn from President Hobbs and his assistants. We also get to go to the Temple next Friday!!!!!! So don't expect an e-mail from me next week because we will be having our P-day that Friday. 

 

There is a lot of really good stuff going on here in Upland. The Lord is hastening His work and the people can feel it. The ward was talking about their goal for convert baptisms for 2014 and it is so inspiring to know that we can set our goals high and have faith that the Lord really is preparing His children.

 

 I know this is God's work. He is directing each and every one of us to do His will if we listen and follow His promptings.  I am so blessed to have the opportunity to continue to learn and grow as a person and example here on my mission.

 

I love you all and hope you have a safe and enjoyable New Year celebration this week!

 

Love,
Sister Cook