Well family,
Another week has gone by. Can you believe it? Where is my time going?? Please, slow it down. Just a little bit. Okay... a lot.
This week was an exciting one in Romania. December 1st is not only Little Lancito's birthday, but also Romania's birthday. It's a big deal here. I love the way they celebrate their country. In centru (downtown) they have a bunch of little shops set up in front of the primarie (city hall) and they put up a big christmas tree and they have concerts there every night. One December 1st they had the band 'Smiley' play, which might not be a big deal to you guys, but Smiley is huge here. (sidenote: the drummer's dad is in our branch, pretty neat.) Anyway, we went and had our dinner break out in front of the primarie and enjoyed the cultural experience. It was packed. I felt like I was in Time Square on New Years eve all over again. Okay, not that packed, but there were a ton of people.
On top of all of that, some of our adorable English students invited us over to celebrate and fed us sarmale (a popular Romanian dish. Basically it is stuffed, pickled cabbage. It tastes a lot better than it sounds.) They fed us SO much. I'm so grateful that we don't get fed more often. I couldn't do that on a regular basis. It was wonderful to hear from them about the history of Romania and the way they view it. I asked as many questions as I could conjure. It was fascinating. I just love history and Romania is full of history. They live in a legit home. Not a block (apartment), not a vila (townhome) but a house. I haven't been in a house in... I don't remember the last time I was in a house (that wasn't a gypsy mansion). It was beautiful. It was a good time. I feel like these three women (they're all neighbors and best friends) have a lot of potential. I'm excited to work with them more.
Stefan is doing wonderful. He is progressing and keeping all his commitments and coming to church. It's beautiful. I love watching him and his testimony grow. It is such a neat opportunity to witness someone's growth in the gospel. Who signed me up for this?:)
Natali came back to Romania!! We got a text Wednesday morning from her saying that she wanted to meet with us. We cleared our schedule and met with her that afternoon. Where do I even start? She is getting married on December 22 in Utah. Sadly, that means she will be moving to Budapest with Kenton but she is so sincerely happy and I couldn't be more happy for her. After asking her if going to the temple in one year is something they are striving for, she very adamantly answered that it is most definitely going to happen. So happy for them.
As we met with her, she said that after her baptism she felt incredible, but that she knew something was missing and that was the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful she recognized this and was aware of the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Because she was leaving for Italy (to buy shoes for her wedding) that weekend, we set up her confirmation for the next day. It was beautiful. Her parents came as well as some family friends. They were all so open and receptive and very proud of Natali for the decisions she was making to follow what she believed to be right. I think both her parents have a lot of potential. We are keeping them in my prayers and hoping we can meet with both of them soon. However, we might refer the Elders to her father, seeing that they are divorced. I'm just so thrilled that Natali has the Holy Ghost and that she is on the path to go to the temple. I know how proud of her Heavenly Father is. I have felt his love for her and as I have, my love for her has grown. I love her dearly and I am so grateful I was able to play a very small role in this part of her journey.
Well, transfers are this week. Want to hear where President Hill has assigned me?? Arad:) How exciting, right? Want to hear the more nerve wrecking part? President Hill has asked that I train this transfer. We have one sister coming in this transfer. Her name Sora Rivera. She is from London and went to U of U... I only know as much as her mormon.org profile will tell me:) It's like facebook stalking for missionaries.
I am incredibly nervous but so very excited. I haven't slept hardly at all since President Hill called me last Thursday night. The first night I found out, I couldn't sleep at all so I rearranged our entire apartment. The bad news is I'm incredibly exhausted but the good news is our apartment looks great and is so much more organized now. It was actually quite a blessing that I couldn't sleep that night because I have been wanting to do that for months but unfortunately, "rearranging furniture" doesn't qualify as missionary work and I haven't had any time to do it.
President Hill has also asked that I come to Zone Leader Council again this transfer. Two in a row. How did I get so blessed? I am incredibly excited. Find a word that is stronger than "incredibly"...that's how excited I am. Elder Harrison has informed me that the entire meeting will be on goals and datorita (the positive form of "because of") my passion for goals is why they have asked that we come this transfer.
We are going down to Bucuresti tonight on the sleeper train and I will meet Sora Rivera tomorrow, go to Zone Leader Council on Wednesday and head home Wednesday night. We should be back in Arad by Thursday afternoon.
My heart hurts to say goodbye to Sora Smith. She has been such a delightful companion. I have come to love her with all my heart over these short twelve weeks together. President Hill has asked her to serve as a "traveling sister" for the last two weeks of her mission. She will travel around the country with another sister, who will also be leaving in a two weeks, doing exchanges with sisters in the surrounding cities of Bucuresti. What a neat way to end her mission. I am so grateful for the time I have had to serve with her. She is beautiful and a wonderful missionary. Goodbye will not be easy, but I am grateful that in these twelve weeks she has become more than a companion and has become one of my dearest of friends. It's a good thing Lindon and Sandy aren't too far from each other:)
Din pacat, Elder Taylor will also be leaving Arad to serve as Zone Leader in Bucuresti. Our new Zone Leader/District Leader in Arad will be Elder Groberg. I've only had few interractions with Elder Groberg, but from what I do know about him, he is a great missionary. Everyone loves Elder Groberg! Can't wait to serve with him.
Sorry this email isn't so spiritually enlightening. It has been a wonderful week. I'm excited for this next transfer and all that it will bring.
Just so you're aware, we will be having a mulit-zone Christmas Party next Monday so our preparation day will by on Tuesday and will be writing home then. :)
I love you all. You are in my prayers. Daddy, I hope you get feeling better.
cu drag,
Sora Alyson Cook
in case you want to missionary stalk as well:
http://mormon.org/me/2WBG/
Another week has gone by. Can you believe it? Where is my time going?? Please, slow it down. Just a little bit. Okay... a lot.
This week was an exciting one in Romania. December 1st is not only Little Lancito's birthday, but also Romania's birthday. It's a big deal here. I love the way they celebrate their country. In centru (downtown) they have a bunch of little shops set up in front of the primarie (city hall) and they put up a big christmas tree and they have concerts there every night. One December 1st they had the band 'Smiley' play, which might not be a big deal to you guys, but Smiley is huge here. (sidenote: the drummer's dad is in our branch, pretty neat.) Anyway, we went and had our dinner break out in front of the primarie and enjoyed the cultural experience. It was packed. I felt like I was in Time Square on New Years eve all over again. Okay, not that packed, but there were a ton of people.
On top of all of that, some of our adorable English students invited us over to celebrate and fed us sarmale (a popular Romanian dish. Basically it is stuffed, pickled cabbage. It tastes a lot better than it sounds.) They fed us SO much. I'm so grateful that we don't get fed more often. I couldn't do that on a regular basis. It was wonderful to hear from them about the history of Romania and the way they view it. I asked as many questions as I could conjure. It was fascinating. I just love history and Romania is full of history. They live in a legit home. Not a block (apartment), not a vila (townhome) but a house. I haven't been in a house in... I don't remember the last time I was in a house (that wasn't a gypsy mansion). It was beautiful. It was a good time. I feel like these three women (they're all neighbors and best friends) have a lot of potential. I'm excited to work with them more.
Stefan is doing wonderful. He is progressing and keeping all his commitments and coming to church. It's beautiful. I love watching him and his testimony grow. It is such a neat opportunity to witness someone's growth in the gospel. Who signed me up for this?:)
Natali came back to Romania!! We got a text Wednesday morning from her saying that she wanted to meet with us. We cleared our schedule and met with her that afternoon. Where do I even start? She is getting married on December 22 in Utah. Sadly, that means she will be moving to Budapest with Kenton but she is so sincerely happy and I couldn't be more happy for her. After asking her if going to the temple in one year is something they are striving for, she very adamantly answered that it is most definitely going to happen. So happy for them.
As we met with her, she said that after her baptism she felt incredible, but that she knew something was missing and that was the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I'm so grateful she recognized this and was aware of the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Because she was leaving for Italy (to buy shoes for her wedding) that weekend, we set up her confirmation for the next day. It was beautiful. Her parents came as well as some family friends. They were all so open and receptive and very proud of Natali for the decisions she was making to follow what she believed to be right. I think both her parents have a lot of potential. We are keeping them in my prayers and hoping we can meet with both of them soon. However, we might refer the Elders to her father, seeing that they are divorced. I'm just so thrilled that Natali has the Holy Ghost and that she is on the path to go to the temple. I know how proud of her Heavenly Father is. I have felt his love for her and as I have, my love for her has grown. I love her dearly and I am so grateful I was able to play a very small role in this part of her journey.
Well, transfers are this week. Want to hear where President Hill has assigned me?? Arad:) How exciting, right? Want to hear the more nerve wrecking part? President Hill has asked that I train this transfer. We have one sister coming in this transfer. Her name Sora Rivera. She is from London and went to U of U... I only know as much as her mormon.org profile will tell me:) It's like facebook stalking for missionaries.
I am incredibly nervous but so very excited. I haven't slept hardly at all since President Hill called me last Thursday night. The first night I found out, I couldn't sleep at all so I rearranged our entire apartment. The bad news is I'm incredibly exhausted but the good news is our apartment looks great and is so much more organized now. It was actually quite a blessing that I couldn't sleep that night because I have been wanting to do that for months but unfortunately, "rearranging furniture" doesn't qualify as missionary work and I haven't had any time to do it.
President Hill has also asked that I come to Zone Leader Council again this transfer. Two in a row. How did I get so blessed? I am incredibly excited. Find a word that is stronger than "incredibly"...that's how excited I am. Elder Harrison has informed me that the entire meeting will be on goals and datorita (the positive form of "because of") my passion for goals is why they have asked that we come this transfer.
We are going down to Bucuresti tonight on the sleeper train and I will meet Sora Rivera tomorrow, go to Zone Leader Council on Wednesday and head home Wednesday night. We should be back in Arad by Thursday afternoon.
My heart hurts to say goodbye to Sora Smith. She has been such a delightful companion. I have come to love her with all my heart over these short twelve weeks together. President Hill has asked her to serve as a "traveling sister" for the last two weeks of her mission. She will travel around the country with another sister, who will also be leaving in a two weeks, doing exchanges with sisters in the surrounding cities of Bucuresti. What a neat way to end her mission. I am so grateful for the time I have had to serve with her. She is beautiful and a wonderful missionary. Goodbye will not be easy, but I am grateful that in these twelve weeks she has become more than a companion and has become one of my dearest of friends. It's a good thing Lindon and Sandy aren't too far from each other:)
Din pacat, Elder Taylor will also be leaving Arad to serve as Zone Leader in Bucuresti. Our new Zone Leader/District Leader in Arad will be Elder Groberg. I've only had few interractions with Elder Groberg, but from what I do know about him, he is a great missionary. Everyone loves Elder Groberg! Can't wait to serve with him.
Sorry this email isn't so spiritually enlightening. It has been a wonderful week. I'm excited for this next transfer and all that it will bring.
Just so you're aware, we will be having a mulit-zone Christmas Party next Monday so our preparation day will by on Tuesday and will be writing home then. :)
I love you all. You are in my prayers. Daddy, I hope you get feeling better.
cu drag,
Sora Alyson Cook
in case you want to missionary stalk as well:
http://mormon.org/me/2WBG/
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| At Natali's confirmation |
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| Our district in front of the Primarie one December 1st (Romania's Independance Day). |
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I found Pixar movies in Romanian. They were too good of a deal not to buy. It was 2 for 6 american dollars. Don't worry, I'll be sending them home
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