When In Romania: Who signed me up for this?

Oh hey family! :)

Let's see, where to begin? I could start with the news of transfers or I could start with how I adore this branch here in Chisinau; I could start with the story of the cockroach that I found in my bed this morning or I could start with the beautiful lesson we had with our wonderful 14 year old girls yesterday. Yes, I think I'll start there.

We were able to meet with fetitele noastre (our little girls) yesterday. I love any chance I get to meet with these strong, beautiful girls. I wish they could see how strong and beautiful they truly are. During our lesson, I asked each one of them what they want from meeting with us, if they truly are interested in the gospel. I was surprised by their answers. I'm grateful for their honesty and now have a greater direction on how we can help them. Mihaiela and Valeria are much more interested than I had realized. I felt so much love for them as I sat with them. I'm usually pretty good about keeping my emotions together in lessons, but I couldn't stop the tears as I told them how much I love them and how much their Father in Heaven loves them, telling them that they truly are His daughters and He wants them to be apart of this church and experience the joy of the gospel in their lives. I saw in each of their eyes something I've never seen before as they listened to us bear testimony to them that they are daughters of God. As if they knew it, but didn't realize they knew it. I can't explain it. There was a certain glow in their eyes as they soaked in the fact that they are loved and that they are divine daughters of Heavenly Father. My heart hurt a little as they told us that they've never felt more love from anyone in their lives as they feel from us, but also so grateful that we can be that for them in their lives right now. My mind can't comprehend the love that I have for these girls. I so wish I didn't have to take three days out our week for traveling down to Bucuresti this week. I would meet with them every single day if I could. My goal is to get a lesson with their families. I want them to have this gospel in their homes so that they can feel that loved on a daily basis.

Saturday we had a branch activity for the anniversary of the Relief Society. It was wonderful! The missionaries didn't plan one single thing. Members came early and decorated. Members brought neighbors. They prepared food. They came! This all probably seems pretty usual for you, but this is a big deal. I was able to see the strength of this branch and it's members. Although still building a foundation, our members are giving everything they can to build the church here in Moldova. They are dedicating and sacrificing their time. It's beautiful. No, they aren't perfect and there is still plenty of things we get to work on, they are truly magnificent! Please don't tell me that I have to leave in six weeks. I don't want to. Our branch president, President Covali, is wonderful. He and his wife both served missions and have two beautiful children. They only speak to their kids in English, which means their two children speak and understand English, Russian, and Romanian. So neat. Going over to their home was a beautiful experience. It warmed by heart to see a young family actively living the gospel and raising their children in a righteous home. I want so badly for every family in the world to have that love and that peace in their home that the gospel brings. One step at a time...

Yes, it's true. I found a cockroach in my bed this morning!!! I was sitting on my bed, painting my nails, listening to Elder Holland's amazing talk from last General Conference (ps, who else is so excited that General Conference is only a few weeks away?! Oh my, I can't wait.) so there I was, minding my own business, when all of the sudden, I see this massive (no, I'm not exaggerating) cockroach crawling out from under my neatly made covers and it's heading right at me. So of course, I did what any human would do and I screamed at the top of my lungs. "SORA HEIM!!!! COME GET IT!!!!" My wonderful, brave companion comes running in to see what the fuss is about, assesses the situation and grabs the dustpan and broom and rescues me from the monster on my bed. All the while, I'm screaming at the fact that I almost got attacked by a beast of a cockroach and that it was in my bed!! Oh gawl. I am disgusted just thinking about it. I immediately put all my sheets and bedding in the washer and sprayed our entire appartment. Oh the life of a missionary in the Romania/Moldova mission! Bleh!

There is a member here from the United States who works at the embassy. He is in the branch presidency and invited us and the Romanian Elders over for dinner last night. It was so surreal. Not only is his home is so american, but we ate all American food from all American brands. It was as if I had stepped back into the U.S. for an hour. Is that really what my life was like before this? Was the toilet paper really that soft before my mission? Brown sugar wasn't just a figment of my imagination? He took us upstairs to his food closet (he gets shipments from costco every month and has a TON of food) and he let us take whatever we wanted. Of course, I took the frosted mini wheats, barbeque sauce, some brown sugar and a lot of chrystal light packets. And some toilet paper.

So, transfers are this week. Again. Why is it that I only got to have four weeks with Sora Heim. Definitely not fair!!!! She is wonderful and I will be so sad to say goodbye to her as she heads back to Timisoara to train the new missionary who is oh so lucky to have her as a trainer! I have learned so much from Sora Heim and have loved every bit of her personality. She is unlike any of my other companions. I loved it. I loved the ways we get to learn from people who are so different from us. I promised before my mission to love every single one of my companions and Heavenly Father has just made the promise so dang easy for me to keep. I'm not just being positive, they have all been amazing. Yes, italics and bold lettering were necessary.

As hard as it is to say goodbye to Sora Heim, I am sure I will be saying the same thing in six weeks about my next companion, whoever she is. I will meet her on Wednesday after her long flight from the United States. I am excited to have a brand new missionary again as my companion. I love their faith and excitement!!

I'm sorry this email was a little less than inspiring. I meant to share all the wonderful things I am learning from my studies, but I got distracted by writing about cockroaches and american food. I promise those aren't the priority over the spiritual enlightenment in my life, but those were definitely more out of the norm than my spiritual enlightenment. I felt like I had to share about it! (PS... I think I use italics way too much. It just does such a good job at showing emphasis.) :)

I will share only a bit about what I've been studying due to lack of time. I've been studying the difference between wisdom and knowledge. It's still something I'm studying,so maybe I'll share more of my thoughts on it next week. I would love to hear any thoughts that you all have. You are all so insightful! :)

2 Corinthians 12:9-10. Any thoughts on how I can better understand and apply these verses?

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

President Hill's insights: "I think the answer may lie in Ether 12:27 (and other verses around that one). We are given weakness that we might rely upon the Lord. Hence, if Paul has weaknesses (including infirmities, reproaches, necessities, etc.) he must rely on God for help. And that is his strength. So, ironically, the more the weakness in physical things (like his "thorn in the flesh"), the more the strength in spiritual things. To me this explains the "enabling power" of the Atonement."

I agree with everything he said. This is something I plan to study more. I love the way that Paul wrote it in those verses. So beautiful and so powerful.

Still loving missionary work and still marveling at the passing time and still praying for it to slow down. I miss you all dearly. I hope you have a beautiful week.

all my love,

Sora Cook

PS. Just looked at the clock and realized it's the 18th. 11 months has really already gone by? 11 weeks maybe, but not 11 months.