La multi ani!

Ceau family,

La multi ani! Adica... Happy new year!
I was going to write this email all about the new year and give my insights on new beginnings and whatnot, but President Hill said it perfectly in his email, and if it's okay with you, I'm going to just share with you what he said. It's beautiful.

"Happy New Year!!  It’s hard to believe that 2012 is ending and 2013 will begin in a few hours from when you read this.  I’m sure you’ve heard about the Mayan calendar ending on December 21, 2012.  That created quite a stir in the news.  Of course, December 21 came and went and nothing notable happened.  Our neighbor and former home teacher, Professor Allen Christensen, BYU, is one of the world’s leading experts on Mayan culture.  He pointed out that the Mayan really did believe the world would end on December 21—but it would immediately be renewed and improved to move forward into the next year.  In fact, they believed that renewal process happened every year with the earth and with people. 

That’s actually not a bad way to look at things.  Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17) Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can, through the process of faith and repentance, “start over”, in effect, when we are baptized and confirmed.  And we can continue that process of cleansing and renewing ourselves through faith and repentance when we renew our baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament.  We can be forgiven and move on and “become new.”    

The New Year is traditionally a good time to take stock of where we are, where we’d like to be, what our Heavenly Father wants us to be and what we need to do to improve.  And a mission is the perfect place to make those renewing changes with the support of a loving, caring companion, at a time when we are more focused on studying the scriptures, and while we are highly engaged in following the Savior and doing His work.

May each of us pray to know, as the young rich man asked of the Savior, “What lack I yet?” (Matt. 19: 20).  He will help you know how your can resolve to be a better missionary, a better representative of the Son of God.  And then be willing to accept the inspiration you receive and go forth with a determination to grow into the person Heavenly Father wants you to become."

Enough said. How wonderful is my mission president?

Well, this week was a strange one. I found myself in a bit of a loop last Tuesday night after talking to each of you -which was wonderful, by the way. Elder Groberg kept laughing at me as we were walking home from the internet cafe and said that I looked like I was in a trans. I kind of was. And I stayed in that trans for a lot longer than I expected. I'm happy to report that I am out of that loop and back in the groove of missionary work. My poor companion and district had to put up with me being mopey for a few days. Oops. I just kept saying "Why does my family have to be so wonderful??" haha. Yes, I am pathetic. It was so beautiful to see you all and to talk to each of you. It was way too short, but so amazing. I'm so grateful for our twice a year phone calls.

Braden, congratulations on being one of the newest members of the Church of Jesus Christ! So proud of you and your decision. I have a kind of cool story to share... At the beginning of this transfer, I told Sora Rivera that I would make sure someone I loved would be baptized on December 29th.. I didn't know who or how, but I knew that that date would be a very special day. When we started teaching Cristina and Florin, I thought maybe it would be them and when they left, I wasn't sure who it would be, but I still did not doubt that it would happen. The next monday, I came to internet and heard that would be when Braden would be getting baptized. As I went home and re-read through my journal of when I had written that someone I loved would be getting baptized on that day, I felt overwhelming sense of peace. So grateful that someone I love so dearly was baptized on that day. Even though I couldn't be there, I still somewhat feel like I was apart of it as I felt that specialness of that day. He was on my mind all day. So, like I said Braden, I am so proud of you. I know Heavenly Father is too. You are so special and I hope you never forget all you felt on that sacred day.

Have I ever told any of you how much I love communication?? Because I do. So much. This week, my companion and I had a much needed conversation and I feel so much more love for her. I love  the opportunity to express myself, my thoughts and feelings, and listen to others and strive to understand their points of view. As I seek to understand those around me I feel so much more of a pure, sincere love for them.Sora Rivera and I strengthened our companionship and grew even closer together this week as we opened up and communicated with each other. It's beautiful!

I have eaten more food this week than I have the entire time I've been here. (Probably not that much of an exaggeration.) We got fed SO MUCH food. I would not be upset if I never ate sarmale again (don't quote me on that.) We went caroling to all the members throughout the week (caroling is done well after Christmas here) and at every home, they fed us a full on meal. And we couldn't NOT eat it because they had prepared it specially for us, not knowing that every other member did also. SO much food. And so much dessert. And not all of it was the most delicious either. That's okay though. It was so kind of them all to take the time to prepare the food. How much they sacrificed just to feed us is one of the only reasons that I kept putting the food in my mouth. They people here are so kind and so hospitible. I love Romanians.

We went and saw The Hobbit this last week as one of our Christmas movies. Not too bad. The sound effects were a little dramatic. We may or may not have put our own commentary to the entire movie. I usually hate "commentators" but Elder Benson is hilarious. At one point when the orches (sp?) are talking in their really ugly language, I turned to Elder Benson and said "That's a really pretty language, let's learn it." and he said "I think it's spanish..." Okay all you spanish speakers, don't get upset. Spanish is a beautiful language, but that comment was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. And every time the orches started talking after that, we all just laughed. It's a good thing we were some of the only ones in the theater.

Funny false doctrine moment in church yesterday... one of the members (our last branch president) raises his hand and says it's okay to drink coffee when you're tired if you put milk in it... because the milk just cancels out the coffee! Good to know! ha. I love false doctrine moments. Unfortunately, they happen often and it's sometimes awkward to raise your hand and correct it. 

We were able to meet with a few potential investigators this week. One of them being a little girl of 10 years old, the neighbor of one of the families in the branch. Her name is Alexa and she is beautiful. I love her with all of my heart. We met with her last night and the Sofroni family (the members). A few weeks ago, Alexa showed up at the Sofroni's home on a Sunday morning all dressed in her sunday clothes to go to church with them. Unfortunately, Fratele Sofroni wasn't feeling well that week and they couldn't make it to church. However, she comes over to the Sofroni's often and they read the Book of Mormon with her and pray with her. Our goal is to get a lesson with her and her parents. She lives in difficult situations and her family could truly use the gospel. She cried to us last night in our lesson as she told her family situation and how hard it is for her and for her mom. I am so excited to get to work with this precious little girl and hopefully bring the comfort of the gospel into the life of her and her family. 

Our other new investigator is Andrea. She is very open and accepting. She is very strong in her orthodox religion. Which is a good thing. I think the people who are strong in their current religion are the people we are searching for. We want people who dedicate themselves to their Heavenly Father in the best way they know how. She could be such a great addition to the branch. She was very kind in inviting us over for sarmale and dessert and we had a lesson with her. She may or may not have blessed us and had us meditate with her at the end... it was interesting! I love all the things we get to experience as missionaries here in Romania! She does have a lot of potential. She has so much desire to do what Heavenly Father wants her to do; she just needs a little direction and help from the spirit in getting there.

Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful New Years. I can't believe this year is over. Where has the time gone? Has it really been a year since I sat at James's house with all of you and opened up my mission call? Life has been good these passed 12 months. I've changed a LOT. I have had hard times and I have had great times, and of course, made a lot of mistakes. But it wouldn't be life if I didn't. I have learned so much from the great times, but even more from the hard times. I am so grateful for all I have experienced this year. I'm sad it is over, but so excited for the future and what this new year will bring and for the opportunity to grow and better myself. 

mi-e dor de voi,

Sora Alyson Cook

ps...If you're interested, the branch here has a facebook page. It's called 'Ramora Arad' I think. Our branch mission leader, Edy, keeps it updated. You should check it out. I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure it's awesome. Or something.