When In Romania: 'Tis the Season

My dear family,

Is anyone else shocked at how fast the time is going? I am absolutely blown away every single week as I sit in this same internet cafe that I've been sitting at every Monday for the last 6 months. Whoa.

I'm sorry that last week's email was lacking in details of what has been happening. I'll try to include details from what has happened this week and what I learned from those experiences.

Last week, we met two of my favorite of people that I have yet to meet since being on my mission. Their name's are Florin and Cristina. I actually met them back in July from english classes when I was serving with Sora Remsberg, but unfortunately, we never got to meet with them because their work randomly called them out of the country. They said they were expected to return in November. Not thinking I would be here, I left a note in the Area Book (I capitalize "Area Book" because it is a very sacred book to me!), but I left a note in the Area Book to call this amazing couple in November when they returned and as I was flipping through it a few weeks ago, I found my note and decided to give them a call. Because we're not holding regular english classes over the holidays, I called and invited them to do a private english class and they were very eager. We met with them Monday evening of last week. At the end of our english classes, we always do a spiritual thought. We finished our english portion and began our spiritual thought with a prayer and began introducing the Book of Momon. I asked Cristina if she had ever heard of the Book of Momon and she said she had and that she has wanted one for a while but didn't know where to get one. She was thrilled to receive one and she clung onto that book the entire lesson. As we read the introduction together, they had some beautiful questions about Joseph Smith. Because the spiritual thought is usually only 5-10 minutes, I asked if they had time then to talk more about their questions. They were so excited at the thought of learning more. We explained who Joseph Smith was and the role he played in the restoration of Christ's church. It was one of the very neatest lessons I have had the privilege of being in. The spirit was so powerful and it was so neat to watch them openly accept everything the spirit was testifying to their hearts. Although we had brought up baptism, we knew we couldn't extend a baptismal invitation until authority was discussed more and understood better. We both wanted to extend the invitation that night, but knew it wasn't the right time. We invited them to read the Book of Momon and we set a return appointment for Wednesday night.

Although I would have loved a member to come with us for the lesson on Wednesday night, it just didn't work like I would have wanted. But the lesson was beautiful, nonetheless. They had read from the Book of Momon together from 1 Nephi 1 and 2. We went over the restoration in greater detail starting from the beginning. (Monday we just talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.) We talked a lot about authority and how it was lost and has been restored. Cristina mentioned that she knew the Book of Mormon was the word of God and didn't need to pray about it to know (I love her faith). We testified that even though we might already feel it is true, it is so important that we show humility by placing our faith in God and ask Him to testify of the truth to us through the Holy Ghost. We re-read the last few paragraphs of the introduction and pointed out what it means if she knows the Book of Mormon is true. She promised to pray about it before our next lesson on Saturday. Still not feeling quite right about extending the invitation of baptism, we invited them to keep reading together and to pray about our message.

At this point, I was a little annoyed that I hadn't felt right about extending the baptismal invitation. I so badly wanted to, but Sora Rivera and I both just didn't feel right about it.

Saturday, a member was able to come with us and it was beautiful. We talked about the Plan of Salvation and incorporated the five steps in with it. (Faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.) We knew that as we explained the five steps that we would gain a better understanding of how much they understood about priesthood and the need for proper authority in baptism. We came up with a graph to better explain the steps. I wish I could draw this graph for you. It's beautiful. Basically, faith leads to repentance which leads to baptism (or partaking of the sacrament if you've already been baptized) which leads to having the Holy Ghost with us and the repetition of this cycle is enduring to the end. All of this done with the love of God in the center; that being our motivation for our actions. "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

Florin explained that when he is with us, he feels peace and sees the love of God that he feels is lacking in the world. We testified to him that that is the Holy Ghost testifying to him of the truth of our message. As we explained the role of the Holy Ghost and how it works in our lives and how we can feel of it's influence before baptism but it is only after baptism and confirmation that we have it with us as a constant companion, he was just smiling and nodding the entire time. (He actually does this throughout all of our lessons. I love it.)

They hadn't prayed about our message or the Book of Mormon specifically before our lesson on Saturday, so we invited them to have a kneeling prayer with us and invited one of them to say it. We knelt and Cristina said the prayer. It was beautiful.

They came to church and every single meeting was exactly what they needed and addressed every one of their concerns that they had brought up in lessons. It was perfect and beautiful. I love the way the Lord watches over his children so tenderly.

After church, they informed us that they received the call that morning in which told them that they would be leaving for Italy again for work this Thursday. Their job pulls them away with only a few days notice. We knew this the whole time teaching them and I had expressed to my Heavenly Father that I wanted to teach them and see them be baptized, but more than that, I wanted Heavenly Father's will. I prayed that I would be at peace with whatever happened and that I would be exactly what Heavenly Father needed me to be in their conversion process. As Cristina told us of their leaving, I knew that it was Heavenly Father's will and they are in His hands. I felt complete peace knowing that this is exactly what is supposed to happen.

She gave me their information in Italy and asked me to help her find the missionaries there. They will. Or they will come back in April and continue learning with the missionaries here. Who knows...maybe I'll still be here! :) ha

After church, a member visiting from Bucuresti came up to Florin and asked him if he was a member. Florin's response? "Inca, nu." Translation: "Not yet." They know it is true. Now it is just a matter of what they choose to do with that knowledge. I trust that the Lord will continue to take care of them.

I'm grateful for how much I got to see them grow in just one week and that Heavenly Father allowed me to meet two very prepared people. It gives me even more hope that there are people who are so ready for this gospel to bless their lives.

Plus, Florin would like us to start meeting with his sister (she used to come to our sports nights with her two sons, she's amazing.) So, we intend on meeting with her and her family this week. Her name is Claudia.

Stefan... I've talked about him, yes? He is the boyfriend of one of the members. Yep, I have talked about him. I remember now. Well, Stefan was passed over to the Elders for them to teach. It just felt right. Besides, it doesn't matter who teaches him, just as long as he gets taught. We all know it's the spirit that does all the teaching anyway. Well, yesterday the Elders met with him and the branch president and had a beautiful lesson (so I hear) and he will be getting baptized on January 12, 2013. I'm so proud of him for his decision and all that he is willing to sacrifice to be apart of our church. I knew he would get to this point. It didn't take long. He has so much desire and pure intent. I love his spirit.

We have a few potential families that we are hoping to meet with this week. I'm really excited and pray that Heavenly Father will lead us into the home of a prepared family who can be blessed by the beautiful knowledge of the gospel.

We had our Christmas Party last week. It was fun. Good to see all the missionaries around the zone and so good to see President and Sora Hill. I love President and Sora Hill so dearly. I know I say it in every email, but my love and appreciation for them grows every single week.

We have started caroling!!!! Our district goes around with the guitar and carol inside all of the blocs (big cement buildings... kind of like apartment buildings, but not really.) A lot of doors get slammed in our face right as we start singing, which actually just makes me giggle a little bit. For some reason it's always when we sing 'Joy to the World'. We usually just get out "E bucurie" and then SLAM!, the door closes... And then we go to the apartment across the hall. It's quite enjoyable. Although we get a lot of doors slammed on us (apparently it's too early to go caroling here), there are a lot of people who are very receptive and try to pay us money (a tradition here, you pay your carolers). Instead of taking the money, we invite them to our Branch Christmas Celebration that is this Saturday. However, if we did take the money, we would be filthy rich right now. Just saying.

I love our district. We get along so well and enjoy each others company. Maybe a little too much. We have to remind ourselves often to stay on task when we get together as a district. But don't worry, I promise we're all being obedient missionaries! I make sure of it. :)

Most of our caroling evenings end in a district snowball fight. An intense snowball fight, Elders against Sisters. We have no mercy. It's enjoyable... until you get a huge, ginormous pile of snow thrown into your face. Yes, that happened to me many a times, compliments of Elder Groberg. I love winter.

We got voie (permission) from President Hill to go to the Elders apartment and help decorate their tree. We did that this morning. No worries, pictures will be included. They have a massive 10 foot (and kind of skimpy) tree in their massive apartment. How they scored that apartment, I'm not sure. So big.

Romanian Christmas Traditions.... FOOD!! Good food, too. Sarmale... which is cabbage stuffed with questionable meat. And Stuffed Peppers. That's my favorite. Basically, Romania just likes to stuff their vegetables with questionable meat. Luckily, we don't eat at members homes too often. It's not the healthiest of food. Surprisingly, we've been able to dodge all the unhealthy eating this holiday season. Kind of a bonus.

Other traditions.... in the Orthodox church they have "saint's days" where there are certain days in the year that they celebrate different saints and if your name is the name of that saint it is called 'your name day'. Basically they get two birthdays, I think that's brilliant. December 6th is Saint Nicoli and as a tradition, all the children put out their boots at night and Saint Nicoli comes around and fills their boots with presents. I think it is adorable. I want to do something like this with my children. Who says you have to be orthodox to celebrate orthodox holidays? Too bad there isn't a Saint Aly. I would totally be celebrating that every single year.

Last week, Sora Smith and Sora Atkins (the traveling sisters until they leave tomorrow) came and did exchanges with Sora Rivera and I. It was beautiful. I hope and pray that our mission continues to do traveling sisters. That was one of the things that Sora Hill and I thought would be a good way to have some kind of sister leaders in the country. Each transfer, we have a companionship of responsible sisters who go around the country doing exchanges and leadership training with the sisters. So brilliant. This was a trial run with Sora Smith and Sora Atkins. I hope they continue to do it. I got to serve with Sora Atkins for a day. She is beautiful and so wonderful. I learned so much from her. I feel like these exchanges were so much more effective than the exchange system they've done in the past where you just pair up with a random sister in a nearby city. We'll see what happens in the future.

Sora Rivera is doing wonderful. I am learning so much from her every day. Training isn't easy, but it is very enlightening as Heavenly Father shows me how to be a better missionary every day by relying on Him for strength instead of just relying on myself.

I miss you all and I am more than excited to see all of your beautiful faces next week.

Have a merry Christmas season and know they I love you dearly.

Be safe. Have a snowball fight.

Love you,
Sora Aly Cook