So this last week I got transferred!!! BUMMER RIGHT!!!! And to the surprise of hermana alvarez and I, I was the one to leave. I am now in a place called La Serena! I am now in the exact oposite of Casa Blanca. Casa blanca was the very very very most sothern part of the mission and now I am in the most northern part of the mission. I got transferred wednesday and didnt get to my new area until 2 am in the morning and then woke up at 7 the next day to get to work! Casa blanca was like fields with very very humble people with very little and now I am in the richest part of the mission. and when I say rich I mean rich. Our living conditions our about the same as casa blanca though... MORE COLD SHOWERS!! WHOOOOO!!! It is a really really hard area and the people dont really want to listen but no importa! In the agua they will go! I am now with Hermana Magdolena. She is awesome. It will miss hermana alvarez. She was really one in a million. We both cried a lot lot lot when we seperated. I will never forget hermana alvarez and cant wait to skype her when I get home. But things with my new companion have finally gone to normal. The first few days is kinda like... I dont know this person... what is she like,,, figureing eachother out. But things are awesome! This ward hasnt had a bishop in over 6 months and yesterday they finally got one. Well kinda. They split the ward and 1/2 of them are going to the other ward and 1/2 of them are going to another. In the ward previous (the one I was in for 4 days) had 4 hermanas and now the other hermanas are in a different zone and we are in a ward with 4 other elders. 2 of them our zone leaders! This bishop we have now though is AMAZING!!! He is a really really hard worker and we are so so so excited to work with him. But that means we have a whole new ward with new members and everyone is a little quessy about the change. SO we need to know our new leaders and unify the ward and gain their confidence so they can give us new investigators. We have an AMAZING plan. including cookies!!!
We found a daughter of a less active member and commited her to be baptized on the 16 of august and SHE IS READY!! Her name is Antonia and she is the sweetest thing ever she is 9 and cant wait to be baptized. Whoooo baptism! I hope that she can continue to come to church and be baptized.
I will miss casablanca so much and all the members there. Especially Hermana Marisol, She and her husband we so kind enough to drive my luggage and I to viña so that no one would steal it on the bus. SO SO SO nice. But now I am ready to work in this new area and GET TO WORK.
My spanish right now is quite literally out of this world. Pure gift of tounges. People think that I have over a year in my mission. I am now at the point where I can understand EVERYTHING and speak with little accent. I KNOW RIGHT!! President was amazed. I am so thankful for my heavenly father and all he has blessed me with especailly the language. I know that he gives these gifts to his children to bless others and to help others progress.
Spirirual thought.
I have been reading in 1 nephi this week and this is what I would love to share with you.
Nephi and his family were commanded to go into the wilderness and sometimes we are as well. We are commanded to go into our own deserts. Where we are isolated, lost, and alone. But we go. God doesnt promise us these times will be easy but that we will recieve help. In 17 verse 13 says- And I will be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that you shall keep my commandments ye shall be lead toward the promised land and ye shall know it is by me that ye are led.
When we are in our deserts or wilderness the places god leads us to go. They can help us to be strengthined and to grow. But we are not alone. He is with us. he is our light. When people say to us you cant do it. Why are you here? You are crazy! We can respond with confidence because we know why we are here. We know our purpose. We can do as Nephi did and do the impossible. Build our ships, and do ALL things with the help of God.
I love you all so much and I hope that you have an amazing week. You are always in my prayers ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS.
Love Hermana Cook
