'Pere' is different than 'Bere'

Ceau ceau ceau... (add about 7 more "ceau's" and that's about how everyone greets everyone here. I LOVE IT.)

As I write this email, my heart is a little full. It's only 11am and I've already had such amazing experiences. These last few weeks, I have been trying to gain a testimony of wearing proselyting clothes on preparation day unless the activity won't allow it (like the white handbook says). I've been a little reluctant in doing so. I love wearing my cute jeans with my cute shirts and my cute shoes... it's like a day to be "me" again. Or at least that is how I thought of it. And I thought, "okay, I'll pray to receive a testimony of it and once I have a testimony of doing it, I'll wear my proselyting clothes on p-day." And then I realized how skewed this thought process was. I called some missionaries that I really respect, (mainly our zone leaders from last transfer because of their example of wearing proselyting clothes on pday) and I asked them what their testimony was from wearing their missionary clothes on pday. I loved what Elder Harrison said when he told me that he has found that as he wears his p-day clothes, he has found so many opportunities to share the gospel on p-day. Elder Myers said that he used to think of it as a time to be "him" again (much how I felt) -almost like a "day off" but he realized at the beginning of his mission he has the rest of his life to have 'days off' from being a missionary, but for these two years, he gets to be a missionary. Which as he explained it to me that way, I realized how sad it is that I wanted a 'day off' from being a missionary of the Lord. Last week, the zone leaders bore strong testimony of wearing proselyting clothes on p-days and I made the decision that whether I like it or not, my next p-day, I'm wearing proselyting clothes. (By proselyting clothes I mean the normal everyday missionary get-up.) The other night, I had a dream that we had a big, zone p-day and I had planned to wear my proselyting clothes until I found out that no one else was and, not wanting to be the only one wearing missionary clothes, I wore jeans and a shirt (a really cute shirt, by the way) and I felt AWFUL. I woke up from that dream feeling so disappointed in myself. I vowed that my next p-day, no matter what every other missionary in the world was wearing, I would wear my missionary clothes. So this morning, I woke up and I was actually excited to follow through with that commitment I had made with myself. I put on my cute dress (that's actually a really ugly "baba-dress" that I have to add a few accessories to to make super cute) and I felt so good inside. On the way to internet, I was reading my book of mormon on the tramvai (which, by the way, I had an incredible experience while reading 3Nephi 17 today on the tramvai, but we'll talk about one amazing experience at a time). I saw an older man standing next to me and I offered him my seat. He told me no matter how old he is, the lady always sits. He asked me if I was a little tired, and being a little tired, I told him yes, I was. And then he told me, "There's something else different about you. You seem brighter than everyone else on this tram." and that it was probably because I was reading the bible. I told him I loved reading from the bible, but that the book I was reading was the book of mormon and asked if he had ever heard of it. He asked lots of questions and saw my English class fliers and asked if he could have one and that he was very impressed by us and wants to learn more from people like us. Whether or not this man would have approached me regardless of what I was wearing, I'm not really sure. But I know my prayers to gain a testimony of wearing proselyting clothes on pday have been answered. And I'm so grateful.

Last week we had Zone Training Meeting. I love getting together with the Zone. We have some amazing missionaries in this mission who I am so grateful to learn from. I don't know how I am so blessed to be consistently surrounded by such amazing people who I feel like bring out the best in me. Truly...

Which brings me to my next subject... Sora Smith. I love her with all my heart. Seriously one of the sweetest, most humble of people. I am so so blessed to be her companion. She is so intelligent and so kind. I am so grateful for her example and her humility. I hope and pray I can be the kind of companion for her that I feel like she is for me.

This week has been a bit disappointing. Not discouraging... but disappointing. I feel like our efforts this last week have been stronger and more intent than ever before... and most of our lessons just didn't go through. Even the people that never cancel on us, cancelled. We didn't get to meet with any of our investigators, but we did get to meet with quite a few less actives, which I'm happy about. However, our faith is just as strong for this week and we have determined to reach all of our goals.

So for the last month, the elevator in our block has been under construction. Which has been more annoying than you might think. After walking around all day, climbing 5 flights of stairs is the last thing I want to do. BUT! This week, our elevator got finished!!! And they had an inauguration for the new elevator! Yep, an inauguration. And they made the BIGGEST deal of this inauguration. They had beer, and food and a prayer. It as a big deal. And I may or may not have almost drank beer. Wups. Beer in romanian is 'bere' and pear is 'pere'. There was pear juice there and I thought they were asking if I wanted some... nope, they were asking if I wanted 'bere'. haha. Wups.

Anyway, thank you all for your emails and PICTURES!! I loved them!! Seriously, Keep em coming:):) And I'm sorry I can't write you all back individually. I wish I had the time!! I didn't even get to read all your emails all the way through. I will print them off and read them.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

Have an amazing week.

Happy birthday this week Patricia!! Hope it's amazing:) Keaton, sorry to hear about your shoulder. No fun. Get better SOON and eat lots of ice cream. I hear that helps shoulders get better quicker:)

PS... it went from summer to winter REAL quick here!! Today is pretty pleasant. Which I'm grateful for. However, I love wearing my winter clothes! (I bought new boots, gloves and scarves this week! Yay:)

Va pup,

Sora Cook

lingo:

baba-dress -- a dress that is under 8 lei (around 2 american dollers) and hideous on the hanger.

tramvai -- basically trax.

white washed (sorry I haven't explained this yet) --getting transferred into a city where neither missionary has previously been. Sora Remsberg and Sora Sam opened up the city of Sibiu to sisters... so they were whitewashed because neither of them were there the transfer before. Hope that makes sense.

Sorry, I forget that you guys don't know some of these words that have become apart of my every day vocabulary.

A monestary here in Arad. It was beautiful there.

One of our cute old neighbors, Gheorghe.

At the Monestary

Our shnazzy elivator! Probably one of the nicest elevators in Arad!

I promised a longer one...

Ceau my lovely family,

I loved your emails. All so uplifting and inspiring. One of my goals this transfer is to remember my purpose in all I do by asking myself how that specific activity helps me be a better missionary or fulfill my purpose. This morning as I was on my way to our cute, little internet cafe, I thought to myself, "How does writing my family and reading their emails help me become a better missionary?" and you all answered that questions as I read your words. You truly inspire me to be better. While I was in the MTC one of the speakers said "Be the kind of missionary that your parents think you are." This has totally stuck with me and I love it because I know what my family and more importantly what my Heavenly Father expects of me and I want so badly to live up to those expectations. Thank you so much for inspiring me through your own lives and your spiritual experiences to be the best missionary I can be. I appreciate it and I am so grateful for your examples. You are all wonderful!!:) Truly. You are. I would love to hear from the rest of you if you get a second. Doesn't have to be long, but it's always good to hear how your lives are going.

TRANSFERS!!! Ohhh boy. I love my new companion. Sora Smith is wonderful. She is so very different from Sora Remsberg but just as amazing. She is from Lindon and only has 2 transfers left. She is definitely dedicated to her purpose as a missionary and so driven to do everything she can. She is more quiet, not shy, but quiet. I love her and I'm so excited for what this transfer will bring with her. Adjusting to change is never easy for me. Saying goodbye to people I love has always been hard for me and that was no different with Sora Remsberg and Elder Harrison. It was tough. I love and respect them both so much. They have taught me so much about what it means to be a missionary. I hope I get to serve around them both again. That being said, I am grateful that such amazing missionaries replaced them here in beautiful Arad. Elder Taylor is our new fabulous district leader and he's great.

It was so good to go to transfers and see some of my greatest friends. Sora Ewell. What an angel she is. I love her so much. She said it perfectly at transfers when she said that when we're back together, it's almost like I'm with my family. I truly feel like she is one of my sisters. I look up to her so much and I learn so much from her even just from being around her for a few hours. I hope and pray I get to serve with her. I also go to see so many other missionaries that I love and look up to! Sora Modzelewska... She cracks me up. Truly I look up to her so much. There aren't many people who have as much faith as she does. It's inspiring.

Okay, back to the missionary work. It has been a great week. Saturday night we had a talent show with the branch and we finally got some of the less actives that we've been working with (Rozi and Adela) to come. It took a few visits and we had to go right before the activity and drag them with us, but they came and they loved it:) They are so wonderful. I absolutely love them both.

We visited a less active family last night (we go every sunday) and last night we talked to them about families and temples and the role temples play in the family and they told us they talked to the branch president last week and they are planning on going through in May! Oh my goodness. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. They have been less active for the last few months and are now working really hard to be active and come to church every week and prepare to go to the temple. If only you could meet them. They are absolutely incredible. They have one daughter (9 years old) who was baptized last year and I may or may not steal her and bring her home with me:) Kidding. But she is adorable. Funny story actually, as we were talking about temples I told them our story of Jared and how much comfort it brought to our family that because we were sealed together, we would see him again. However, I said "pentru că părinții mei s-au câștigat în templu" instead of "pentru că părinții mei s-au căsătorit în templu". Basically I got the word "câștigat" and "căsătorit" mixed up. Dang it. Câștigat means 'won' and căsătorit means 'married'. The good news is, I don't think I'll ever forget the word "married" ever again. I'm sure that's only one of the many mistakes I made.

Something I've learned since being out here that there is a distinct difference between getting discouraged and being disappointed. It talks about this a bit in Preach my Gospel and I've been focusing my studies on these two words the last few weeks. It is so easy to get discouraged when something doesn't work out the way we would hope but I don't think getting discouraged is constructive. It's actually quite DEstructive. I've learned that the biggest difference between these two words is that 'disappointment' is not living up to certain expectations, whether it's myself or someone we're teaching and recognizing room for improvement... aka constructive; and 'discouragement' is doubting that those expectations can ever be met.. aka, destructive. One of the ways I've found to not get discouraged is to have my nightly companionship inventory with my Heavenly Father. I've said this in so many emails, but I love accounting to Him at night. Explaining where I did what I could and where I can improve and then asking for His help to do so. It's so inspiring and such an empowering process for me. I try to always start out these prayers with telling my Heavenly Father, "I know you're listening to me and I know that no matter what I tell you in this prayer, I will still be loved at the end of it." It helps me be completely open and honest with Him and with myself and helps me see where I can improve and where I truly did all I could.

I've also been studying a lot about revelation. As missionaries, we're expected to receive a lot of revelation and so I figured I should probably understand this concept a little better. As I've studied it, I've found a pattern or a process in receiving revelation. I started studying the greatest revelation of this dispensation in Joseph Smith History when Joseph read in James 1:5. As I've studied it and seen the patterns in that revelation, I've compared it with other revelations and found a similar process in each one.

First, comes being humbled. JSH 1:8. Joseph recognized that it was impossible for a person as young as he was to come up with the correct answer. He recognized he needed to look outside of himself for answers. (Nephi had a similar realization before his amazing vision.)
Second, is a desire to learn or to know something you don't currently know. JSH 1:10
Third, is studying and searching for an answer JSH 1:11
-whether through prayer, scriptures, fasting, words of prophets, giving options, and sometimes includes acting on one of the options given
(next comes the actual receiving an answer, but I don't count this as a step because it's not something that we actually do. It comes as a result of what we do.)
Fourth, after receiving an answer, pondering the answer you received JSH 1:12   and asking Heavenly Father if that was the answer you were supposed to receive or asking him if there is any more to receive.
Fifth, ACT and live out the answer you received. JSH 1:14 Express gratitude for the answer received and live according to the knowledge Heavenly Father has given you. Give Him a reason to trust you with more revelation.

This realization and recognizing this process has helped me so much. I love it. I plan on studying it a lot more and paralleling it with other revelations we know of in the scriptures. I will keep you updated on any other thoughts I have. I would love to hear yours as well:)

Seems like it was an exciting week in the real world. BYU-UT, iPhone5, Al Queda... what in the.. Glad I'm missing it all. Minus the iPhone5. SOUNDS SO COOL! UGH. These little dinky phones are pathetic compared to that. Well, they're pathetic compared to just about anything.

Tomorrow is Zone Training meeting and sora smith and I have to give a presentation. I'm excited. I love giving presentations. And it's on goal setting. I LOVE GOAL SETTING!:) I'll let you know how it goes.

Pretty sure this is a novel. Apologies!

Love you all more than you know. Thank you again for your emails and for the pictures. Much appreciated. You are all incredible. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PACKAGE!! It was wonderful. It was so fun to hear from McCall and Libby and Alisha! They're so big. Tell them thank you and give them a hug for me. And Jenny Andrews, thank you so much. You are magnificent. I look up to you so much. Give Morgan a big hug for me in 19 days! Can't believe it. And make him write me. Also loved the mini animals, mom you're hilarious. Pens, pencils, postcards, cds, letters... it was all so very appreciated and I loved it all. Especially the hearts with the little secret message in the box. Thanks again. I love you all.

All my love,
Sora Cook

This is our first picture as a district on our first day as a district. It's going to be a fantastic transfer:)

Me and my lovely new companion. Can't you just see in her cute face how sweet she is?! It's true. She's a doll.

This is a cool article on LDS.org. Read it and apply it. I dare you.
Seven Suggestions to share the gospel
http://www.lds.org/topics/missionary-work/seven-simple-suggestions-for-sharing-the-gospel?lang=eng

Multi inainte...

Family,

Gotta make this quick!! We had a fun filled p day because it's our last pday as a district! And by "fun filled" I mean we played settlers of catan (cards not the boardgame -so fun!) in a restaurant and went to the city watch tower to see the city. It all took a lot longer than we had anticipated! But it was still a blast!! I have loved this district so SO much. Sadly, Elder Harrison and Sora Remsberg will be leaving us! Sora Remsberg is being whitewashed into Sibiu. She will do wonderfully. If there was any missionary who could do it, it would be her. She is amazing. This is her second time whitewashing (she also whitewashed Constanta!) Which is where Sora Ewell will be serving! We are literally on the opposite sides of the country. But I do get to see her tomorrow at transfers! Cannot wait. Sora Smith will be my companion. She only has two transfers left so she will be a great missionary to learn from and serve with. I'm excited.

It has been another wonderful week! Lots of learning, laughing and hard work. Success:) I wish I had a lot of really cool stories...I don't. Sorry! I'm not sure if it's because it's summer (yes, still summer here) or if we are doing something wrong, but it is SO difficult to establish lessons here. We meet and talk to amazing people and they tell us to call the day of the lesson because they don't know their schedule and then we set up with them and then they either cancel an hour before or don't show up. I don't get what the deal is! So, our days usually are pretty packed at the beginning and then half way through the day, we are completely open. Same with the Elders. So...we go guitar contacting a lot with the Elders. haha. Which is actually really fun. But frustrating that lessons just don't go through. District goals next transfer: figure out a way around that!

However, Madalina is progressing -slowly but surely. She is such an intelligent 15 year old. She asks such good, brilliant questions and is so open. We have a few others we are working with who come to sports night every friday night. A mom and her two kids and her sister and brother in law. They've built a really good relationship with Sora Remsberg, as have a lot of the less actives and we've seen so much progress with them recently. I'm terrified that sora remsberg will leave and I won't quite fill her shoes and they will stop progressing. I know I can't think this way... but I have been! We will see what happens. I will do my very best to pick up where she left off!

I'm so sorry this is way too short!! I hope you forgive me. Promise a longer email will be written next week!!

Our beautiful Arad relief society with Sora Wahlquist, Sora Remsberg and Sora Cook

Our last sunday as a district.

One of the pictures of Arad. I love this city.

My First Zone Conference

Hello my dear, sweet family,

Thank you all so much for your very much needed prayers. It has been a wonderful week. I've learned a lot about the atonement and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. It hasn't been easy, but it has been so enlightening and a lot of comfort has come from it. I am so grateful for my loving Heavenly Father. Before this wonderful mission of mine, I am not sure I fully grasped the relationship that can grow through prayer. It was always so abstract to me. But it has become more and more real as I've recognized who I am to my Heavenly Father and how important my relationship with Him really is. I know without a doubt He answers my prayers. Even though sometimes, they way He chooses to answer them isn't quite what I had in mind, I'm always so grateful and it's just another testimony to me that my prayers really are heard by my Father in Heaven through my Savior. What an amazing tool we have to pray. I hope I always us it the way Heavenly Father has intended me to and that I always recognize how important and how special it really is.

Zone conference this week was amazing. It was here in Arad. I love gathering and feeling the spirit of all the missionaries and of President and Sora Hill -who are absolutely incredible, by the way. Truly, I am so blessed to have such fantastic, beautiful leaders in my mission. I could write out all the things that I learned, but I don't think it would have much significance to you all, however, I'll do it anyway. The Arad zone leaders did a cool object lesson where they got two Milka Bars (the best chocolate ever) and asked one elder to eat the whole thing in 5 minutes and gave another elder a little piece and told him they'd give him more in a few minutes. After five minutes, the elder that had eaten the whole thing compared to the one who had eaten a few bites at a time felt super sick and the last bite of chocolate was not anywhere near as good as the first bite of the chocolate. They related it to our teaching and how we try to shove as much doctrine down their throat in such a short amount of time... which is true. We sometimes forget that talking about the entire restoration or plan of salvation from beginning to end is a lot to handle if you've never heard it before. Anyway, the challenged us to have shorter lessons with more simple and plain truths and recognizing that if we do it that way that we are more likely to be invited back to share more rather than having an hour lesson trying to get as much as possible taught... they probably won't be so thrilled to have us back. I hope that made sense the way I said it. The other zone leaders did an object lesson about baptism and how we need to establish an end goal from the very beginning. Otherwise, they're just running around the room without a finish line.

President Hill spoke and gave his wise words of encouragement. His words pierced my heart and inspired me to be so much better and work so much harder. There's so much I get to improve on. Unfortunately, I don't think this will never NOT be the case. He talked about not knowing the influence one bad or good choice can make and how we can't afford to be disobedient... the salvation of the people we've called to serve is not worth breaking that one rule or is not worth sleeping in. They seem like such simple rules sometimes and we think it's harmless but I know that as we keep all the rules and are always consciously obedient (I like that a lot better than exactly obedient) I know that we will be protected and the spirit will be with us to testify to those who have been prepared. We need to prepare ourselves through obedience and study to meet the people who are ready to receive the witness of the Holy Ghost.

As far as our investigators go, everyone is doing splendid. Madalina is progressing and her testimony is growing. Our goal this week is to get a lesson with her parents. We've always just done our lessons at the villa after english class... but we really want to get a lesson at her home with her parents. Hopefully that happens. It's so important that the gospel is taught to families and that they grow together.

Marcel... we're not really sure what's happened to him. He's in Bucaresti for a few weeks, unfortunately. Hopefully we get to meet with him when he returns. We'll see.

There are a few other potentials that we are working with that I'm pretty excited about. This week we start teaching Alexandra and Mihai (the 10&8 year olds) I'm so excited. It's like teaching primary again!

Transfers are next week!! Oh my goodness. I have been praying ever so intently to be at peace with where ever I go or whoever I'm put with. I've really been so spoiled with Sora Remsberg and the Elders here in Arad. I'm praying we all stay together again:) however, whatever happens, I know it is exactly what is supposed to happen. I trust in President Hill and know that he is guided by Heavenly Father to place us exactly where we need to be in order to grow into the kind of missionaries that Heavenly Father would have us be.

I do get to go down the Bucaresti for transfers though. I need to get my visa and whatnot. Which means I get to see Sora Ewell!! I'm so excited! She sent me a letter this last week and it was so good to hear from her.

Seriously, how have I been so spoiled to have such amazing companions? I feel like I have 2 new sisters. I feel so close to both of them. I can't wait to find out who will be my next companion. I know I will love her just as much!

Family, I love you all so much. I'm happy to hear about BYU. I called the senior couple first thing Friday morning to find out who won. Go Cougars. Sorry about Boise State Ryan... That's too bad. I'm sure they'll have a great year though! Not that any of this is important, but it's still fun to hear about in your emails.. and from the senior couple:)

Miss you all. Everyone give everyone hugs for me! And happy birthday Garrett and Isabel!!!! 16 and 6. What in the world? I must be getting old. Dang it...

All my love,
Sora Cook