Semana Cincuenta Cieta: This church IS true

At last I am writing you a big email :)  Y'all deserve a good update of my week :)  So here it is!

On Monday we went to Noche de Hogar with the familia Morales... We went to take the bus and found a nice Canadian couple (members!) that were lost.  We just happened to be taking the same bus so we helped them get to their hotel!  But the bus driver passed our stop so he left us out by the airport................ in the middle of no where in the dark.  Haha.  But he gave us a refund!  So we finally found our way to the family´s house and had a lovely lesson.

Tuesday... We taught our prostitute investigator... She says she wants to change but we can´t really tell...  Then Rosa.. (did I tell you about her?  She was a reference from a recent convert named Denis that talks like a Hindu but in Spanish who painted me a cool typical Costa Rican dolphin thing... well Rosa is great and sells ´´Herbalife´´ look into it.)  She accepted a baptismal date for the 8th of August!  Then we contacted her neighbors and they also accepted baptismal dates for the 22nd of August.  Then I had to go play the piano for the STAKE choir... thats right!! on Sunday will be the first STAKE conference in the history of Liberia!

WEDNESDAY

Visited with Ester... she decided to get married on 19 of Sept!! YAY!  Gloriana wants to be baptized but Ester´s mom says she has to do her first communion before she can be baptized :(  ah man.  Leda is doing great... she quit drinking coffee and is so close to separating from her boyfriend.  Then Noche De Rama and... well when we left we got a notice that an Elder had passed away that day.  He fell asleep and never woke up.  We were quite impacted... I didn't know him but we all starting thinking about how each one of us could die at any minute.... for us I felt fine.. I would LOVE to be closer to my Heavenly Father... what just killed me was thinking about his family... anyway the point is that we were a bit shooken up.  We hadn´t found any nuevos yet and we only had one hour more to work... So Hermana Santos and I prayed in the street for the elder and his family, for comfort, and the ability to focus on the work for one hour more and find SOMEBODY that needed the gospel.  No one received us for that hour so we started home.  Then we both stopped in front of a house... I knew we had to knock it.  So we upped and buenased and a young mother came out... I said, ´´We are missionaries representatives of Jesus Christ and He has sent us here to your house.  I don´t know why but we just felt we needed to knock your door.´´ She started to cry and cry and cry and said that all day long she had been praying for help and now she knows that God hears prayers.  It was so impacting... God heard HER prayer and he heard OUR prayer.  I am so grateful for that experience.  We taught her a small message (because it was late!) and scheduled an appt. for Tuesday.

THURSDAY

Rosa made us a yummy lunch and we taught her about the Word of Wisdom.  She sells all things naturally and luckily doesn´t drink coffee.  She also says she doesn´t drink the teas that are against the Word of Wisdom but she sells these herbalife teas that are a little fishy.... she serves them to us and I just don't know if they are okay or not.  I sure hope so because I drank it!  Then we visited Mauricio.  Do you remember him?  Oh wait.  I didnt tell you.  Well, I told you in a letter I sent home. We brought Hermano Carlos to the lesson and afterwards Carlos invited him to accompany him to the church for some things.. then we brought him to a baptism of the other sisters that night!! It was awesome!! That´s what we need from all the members!

FRIDAY

This week we have been pretty low with nuevos.  We were working SO hard to visit everyone to prepare them for their baptisms in August and present members to them so they come to church and everything, and well we were always out of time to find nuevos.  So today we decided to put all our faith out there... we had a few citas fijas but for the other time we just wrote where we would be and prayed and prayed that the Lord would put people in our path.  So we started out.. and ALL our citas fijas fell.  :)  So we contacted people in the street and houses ALL DAY LONG  (very ineffective.. with 14 months I should know better but we didn't know what else to do and had lots of faith... our goal for nuevos was 10.  I knew we were going to find them!!) So we walked... and talked... and walked... and contacted... and.. well... everyone rejected us:)  At 8 o'clock FINALLY  a woman invited us in to sit down... we hadn't sat all day!!!!!  By the end of the day we found 4 nuevos... but the other three were like.. half news because they just allowed us to share a BRIEF message standing in front of their gate... We didn't reach the goal but hey.  The Lord did bless us with some new investigators.  But man did our feet hurt when we got home!! Next week we will be working better with the members so that we don´t have to repeat this day.. my poor hija... :)

SATURDAY

Today was another Choir day.. my the choir sure sounds lovely.  Latin voices are beautiful.  ....... Ah man it is so bad!  The poor things never even learned the hymns right.  Oh well, the spirit is what counts :)  Then the other sisters had a baptism and then we visited Norma and Mauricio.  They are set to come tomorrow to church!  Norma, Mauricio, Leda, Rosa, Ester and Gloriana, and Shameli are ALL fijo to come to church!  We have worked SO hard to introduce them all to members and help them feel confident and have spiritual expereinces in the week so that they will come tomorrow!  It is the first stake conference so it would be AWESOME if they came!!

SUNDAY

No one came.  :(  bueno.. Leda came and Gloriana came.  Rosa didn´t answer us or open the door.. Mauricio tampoco... Norma tampoco... Shameli tampoco... Ester said she was busy.  AAaaaa when will these people get it?????  So sad..  But it is okay. The Lord blessed us with two.  That´s more than last week.  We set out once again to reach a high goal of nuevos... and we were practically walking in circles.  We found two nuevos instantly that were... locas... seriously.  But hey they wanted to learn more  (I think they may live in the street).  They need the gospel too.  At night we shared a message with Hermano Carlos and he had bought us subway :)  SO NICE!  

Well, that was the week.  Now we are here... another Monday!  It is flyin by.  I am SO GRATEFUL that I am training.  Mi hija (pronounced ee huh... not hee haw) :) is Hermana Santos (de los ultimos dias) and she is an angel.  We get along GREAT and she works hard... it's like she already has six months.. she knows all the lessons has great ideas... seriously she is a gift from Heavenly Father for my last few months.  She is keeping me focused because I am missing you all more and more... I will be home November 12 it looks like!  But I am grateful I still have four more months to work work work and serve the Lord!  This church IS true.  Never ever doubt it.  Love you all!

Sista Cook

At the temple welcoming the new missionaries

I love Hermana Santos

I finally saw monkeys!

My last leadership counsel 

Semana Cincuenta Seis: I love the temple

I poorly managed my time again... Forgive me!! The next week I shall write the big email FIRST.....

Well this week was the BEST WEEK OF MY MISSION... Well, I dont know.  But it was awesome!

On Monday I headed to San Jose to wait for mi hija to come... I was assigned to work two days in... TEJAR!!! I visited some converts... Marco and Faiker... and it just was so incredible to see their progress in these four months and to see that I truly have been able to make a difference in the lives of some people.  What a huge blessing..

Then on Wednesday we went to the TEMPLE!! and did a session!!! How glorious, I hadn´t been in seven months.  I LOVE the temple.  Then on the temple steps we were assigned our hijos.... mi hija es Hermana Santos (de los ultimos días) from Panama!  She is so cute and sweet and SO powerful in sharing the gospel.

We had a good hard week!! updates to come!! I saw monkeys just walking around doing our visits!! I had NEVER NOTICED THEM BEFORE!! spiritual lesson... sometimes there are little wonders in our lives and we never ever notice.  haha.  

I LOVE YOU

Hermana Santos of Panama

Semana Cincuenta Cinco: I will receive my hija

Howdy ya'll!!  What a strange day.  I am writing you from San Jose (SURPRISE) and I only have five minutes left of internet because... well we started reeeeally late so we need to go to work.  Heres the sitch...

Friday we went to San Jose for the Consejo de Liderazgo and we met President Laboriel!! He is GREAT!! Very different from Pres Wilkinson but super great.  He is REALLY disciplined, we can't drink coke or much pop at all... and we have to memorize all the Articles of Faith, the prophets of the latter days, the current apostles, the order of the books in the Book of Mormon, the scripture masteries, etc.  everything really.  I memorized all thirteen articles on the bus home. It kind of feels like an army sometimes but I love it.  He has SO much energy and urgency for the work and is also SO loving.  On Saturday he came to Guanacaste and we all had our interviews.  I expressed to him my desire to truly end my mission giving it ALL I've got and to be able to feel how I felt when I trained and he said, ´´I promise you that you will  NEVER forget these 4.5 months.´´

Today are cambios.  And I guess that's the big news.  I have changes!  Well... kind of..... my prayers have truly been answered.  I have been praying for a LOOOOONG time that I can end my mission training.  Well.... I´M GONNA TRAIN AGAIN!!! I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am.  So here is how it happened.  Hermana Loza changed rooms and is now companions with Hermana Flores because Hermana Contreras is ending her mission today.  I am staying in my area and will train.  Now Hermana Loza and Flores are the Sister Training Leaders.  Sister Loza also was the trainer of Hermana Flores so now they are together again!  So this week I will receive my hija.... I will train her for two changes then have one change left!  I am ready to give it ALL I'VE GOT and serve the Lord as a completely consecrated missionary.  I love this mission!!!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Semana Cincuenta Quatro: Good-bye President Wilkinson

Hooooola everyone!!! How goes it in Zion?

Well I have had another great week.

Monday we went to San Jose... you heard a bit about that last week.   After we did internet we went to the mall... I went in Forever 21.  It was the weirdest experience I have had in a long time.  My have the styles changed in just 13 months!! It made me so excited yet a little freaked out haha.  It was just weird.  Also I put on a pair of high heels and felt beautiful.  My legs aren't that ugly after all haha.  

Tuesday we had our last Mission Conference in the history of the Mission San Jose Costa Rica.  President Wilkinson gave an INCREDIBLE talk.  He spoke about the 7 spiritual essentials... that if we commit to these seven things we will NEVER be inactive.  We will never face a disciplinary council... etc.  I am not going to share them now because I am preparing an awesome Family Home Evening lesson when I come home :)  It was a great meeting... afterwards President hugged each one of us (even the sisters!) :)  and we all cried and cried.  I told President that he has truly changed my life... and he said he did nothing.. it was all the Lord... but that it was a privilege to be part of it.  I hope you can meet him and Sister Wilkinson soon.  THey are truly INCREDIBLE.  It was fun to see all my friends in the whole mission... Elder Zibin, Macias, Fisher.. Hermana Garcia (mi hija!!!!!!) and Ortiz and Tripp and Davidson and Bratt and everyone.  It was so fun and I love them all.  Now that the misison is split I will probably never see lots of them again! Headed home on the bus and got home around 9:30.

Wednesday... Nothing too exciting.  Did I right about Kaylor before? Well today we met his mom, Denise.  Turns out the missionaries visited her when she was thirteen and she went to a baptism and everything!  It was a great lesson.

Thursday... we taught Lili (the girl that works at the chicken restaurant next door to our apartment).. she had a break at work so we taught her the Restoration... afterwards we invited her to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and she said, ´´I already believe it.´´ It was so great!  She is 16 and would progress a lot more if she wasn't always working.  If we can help her come to church she will be baptized this month! (July)

Friday we had the interview for Francisco (stepson of Ester that we reactivated through teaching his stepmom)... did I tell you about that last week?  They were going to advance Fran in the priesthood but couldnt find his records... they searched in Salt Lake and never found them... so we had to baptize him again!  My companion and I were thinking... how would it be to return home from the mission and have them say, ´´Sorry, we cant find your records... you need to be baptized again.´´ ah man.  Well I guess this is an example of ´´the church is perfect, the people aren´t´´ Somewhere someone failed to submit his record in the system and for that we had an interview for Fran on Friday.  Meanwhile, we visited with Ester. She is just a rockstar I love her so much.  In her prayer she said, ´´I thank thee, Father, that I know that this is the only true church and that every day it is confirmed more... thank you that Fran can be baptized again so he can receive thy priesthood and serve a mission.´´ I just love her.  They are supporting Fran a ton so he can serve a mission.  He is 17.  We gave him a tie from Pres Wilkinson and nosotras that he can only use in his mission.  Then we taught Denise and Kaylor the Restoration... she had some doubts but I know by praying and studying the Book of Mormon she will receive her answer.  Its just true.

Saturday was Lauriano Francisco Mora Mora´s baptism.  It was a crazy day.  We got to the church early to teach piano... then helped a little to set up for the talent show... went home to study.. eat lunch... then back to decorate for the talent show... have the beautiful baptism (none of the members we asked to help came...)... then had the talent show!  It was a crazy day all in the church but it was fun.  In the talent show I sang Let it Go again like I did a year ago in San Jose.. then at the end all the missionaries did a skit about missionary work.  It was like a silent movie so I set the mood with several different piano pieces.  I am so grateful for music and the way I have been able to use it!

Sunday... well we had had a good week..... but had only found ONE new investigator... one of the nights (I forgot which) we spent almost the whole day just searching!! Knocking doors, visiting members, less actives, recent converts, asking referrals from EVERYONE and... nothing.  we went to the appointments we had and no one opened the door.  Everyone hid.  (We literally saw them hide haha).  Maria.. Linda´s mom... saw us and we stopped int he street to saludarla and she waved and looked down and passed right by.  It was so sad.  It was actually a week of looooots of rejection.  But thats okay.. that's how it goes :)  So Sunday we had fast and were praying for a miracle so we could find some people to teach- we generally find 15 every week.  We have some great sisters in the branch that did divisions with us and... AAAA i am out of time.  Ah man.  well the miracle is that we found six nuevos!! It wasnt our goal but I really saw the hand of the Lord guiding us and helping us feel encouragement even though we had had a rough week.  Every day we have rejection and bummer situations... but the blessing are so great that I can never complain!! Heavenly Father is blessing us so much.  I love this work.   I love you all so much and I wish you all the BEST WEEK EVER!!!

Love, Hermana Cook

Semana Cincuenta Tres: Forget Myself and Go to Work

Hola!! Sorry I didn`t write last week... This week I have more time.  We are here in San Jose!  President told us a week ago that we would come a day early to San Jose before the big mission conference tomorrow because he is giving brunch to all the zones that reached their goals in April!  And thats us!! Wahoo!! So we bought our tickets for the 3 a.m. bus.  Then Sunday rolled around and the assistants called saying that actually... we aren`t invited to the brunch because they bought us pizza when we watched Meet the Mormons.  It was a rip off haha.  So now we are in San Jose all day with nothing to do (and no brunch).  Perhaps I shall buy souvenirs today :)

It has been a great great week!  On Monday we did divisions and the Servers took me to visit Pedro`s family with the family Morales in Bagases (the family that lives and hour and a half away that came to district conference) We got there and waited... and waited... but Pedro didnt show.  And his family wasn`t home.  and they didn`t answer.  It was a bummer because we went all the way down there.  Turns out he had been out drinking..... how sad.

Tuesday we visited with Alicia (daughter of Angelita... the old lady that does Noche de Hogar alone every Monday) and felt powerfully that we should challenge her to be baptized that very week.  (she knows the church is true and went for like a year but now goes to a different church) .  She said she would pray about it.... but later on she avoided the subject :)  

On Wednesday we did divisions.  My companion went to Santa Cruz with Sister Gibson and I stayed here with Sister Diaz.  They were GREAT divisions.  Sister Diaz is a truly consecrated missionary.  And together we worked VERY hard.  Used our time wisely.. opened our mouths to EVERYONE... and we finished the day with average numbers but  feeling GREAT because I know we really did all we could.  We had a great day... including a lesson where they accepted a baptismal date but at the end refused to give us their phone number and said it would be best if we didn`t visit them again.. weird.  Then a sister that accepted to be baptized but wouldnt accept a date and wouldn't even accept the commitment to pray.  weird.  :)  Then we saw a man in the street in a white shirt and tie and we said, "Are you Mormon???? Do you wanna be?? When can we come visit your family so that you can all be Mormon?¨ Haha.  it was awesome.  He accepted a visit for the following day.  We visited Leda... she has decided to separate from her husband (well... partner)... which means she can be baptized!! But she is going to move to another area :(  then we visited Norma and we finally figured out why she is so hesitant to be baptized.  She has diabetes and lupus and lots of problems and sores on her feet and legs.  She is just self conscious that people will see her!  So the next day we brought her baptismal clothes so she could try them on.  She came out VERY excited and feeling beautiful... we helped her understand that she truly is a daughter of God.  What a blessing that we have that knowledge... so many people don`t even know their worth!

Thursday we were still in divisions.. we visited the man that looked like a Mormon and he and his cousin and friend all accepted baptismal dates.  They are GREAT!  We visited Ester and helped her make a plan for when she will get married... tentatively we are planning on July 14th... she just has to propose to her husband first ;)  At night we went to an appt. we had with a referral.. but he wasnt there... so we started walking by the church and he showed up RIGHT IN FRONT of the church!! What a miracle!! His name is Kenneth.  We gave him a tour and taught him the restoration by the baptismal font.  He has studied EVERY major religion and has the belief that religion causes barrier.  But he has a great heart and wants to just serve his whole life.  I know he will get baptized it will just be a process... I think if he reads the Book of Mormon his testimony will be solidified.  

Friday we finished the divisions and headed to Capulin to search for some less actives.  Hermano Carlos bought us Subway.  Seriously I love Subway.  it tastes so much like home.

Saturday we had piano lessons but no one camethis week.  So we helped prepare a wedding and they asked me to play the wedding march (in other parts of the world you have to be married civily by a lawyer and then you can be sealed)  We went later to a baptism of the other sisters and they asked me to sing.  Then we left the church and a member from another branch was outside crying.  She was all bummed because she is old now and ever since she got home from her mission everyone bugs her about getting married and she still hasnt found anyone and is lonely.  We cheered her up :)  

On Sunday no one came to church.  Just Francisco (hijo de Ester) but he is member... SO WE THOUGHT!! He has passed The Sacrament and all but today President Lezama said that they have searched and searched and called Salt Lake but can't find his record... so we will be baptizing him on Saturday :)  My companion was sick today and we had to leave church early.  But in the bathroom I met an older woman who is gringa from Arizona and she started crying on my shoulder when I told her I speak English.  She came here all alone to try it out for a year but isn't gonna last three months.  I told her I truly know how she feels... it is SO hard to try to understand people and communicate and get used to the food and the culture and the dirt and the bugs... she cried and cried then we decided to be friends.  I hope she is okay after all!  Then we headed to do some visits and we met a family that is REALLY great.  The daughter is thirteen and is named Rochel.  she has some disabilities.. many... and can't sit down.  She is always laying down on her stomach. Her arms are all twisted up and has had surgeries her whole life.  But she has the most beautiful smile... and we taught her about her individual worth and the blessings of the gospel... she broke down crying.  It was a beautiful lesson.  They didn't accept right now to be baptized but I know they will be..  They are very special!

Well it was a really great week.  Tomorrow will be the last meeting with President.  It is so sad but all is well in Zion.  It makes me laugh sometimes that the Lord has to teach me the SAME lesson again and again and again.  I wrote a while back about enduring to the end and how I am just so tired and it is hard to get used to everything and blah blah blah.  Well the answer is clear.  FORGET MYSELF AND GO TO WORK!! That is always the answer.  And I always forget it so quickly.  I am sure that once we can all finally remember and put into practice all the principles of the gospel... we will be living celestial lives.  Until then... I shall strive to just remember a little better so He doesn`t have to remind me quite so much.

I love you all so much.  Just a shout out to all those daddies out there... Tyson Trace JD... and MY DADDY!! The best of them all.  I hope you all know how special this man is.  If you see him give him a hug for me.  And a kiss on the cheek.  He is my hero.

Until next week!! 

Love, Hermana Cook

For my Daddy

Thank You Awesome 2nd Ward Young Women!!

Semana Cincuenta Uno: I wouldn't trade this time for the world

My oh my how time flies!!! I completed a year this week!!! My roommates were so cute and made me a ¨¨cake¨¨ (really just crackers that I bought with a candle in the middle.  We dont have that much money haha:) I love the mission and am so grateful for all the growth I´ve experienced!!! While writing in my journal on the year mark I felt deeply impressed that the reason the Lord wanted me to serve a mission wasn´t for all that I was going to do in the work... really my impact hasn´t been that big... it was because of the great change that the Lord wanted to come to pass in me!  I am so incredibly grateful and wouldn´t trade this time for the world!

Well, this week was kind of a bummer.  Diana and Michael... those I love so very much... Separated for good this week.  When calling them individually, Michael said he wouldn´t go back to church until God performed a miracle and got him back with his wife... and Diana said she needed a break and would call us when she was ready.  I bawled like a baby.  I love them so so so much and it just breaks my heart when people don´t realize that God can´t just perform a miracle without them doing their part!  In this time of crisis and trial... the thing they need is the gospel!! They can´t take a break from the only thing that can save them!!  I pray that one day this couple will realize these things and will be able to make this important step of baptism and conversion in the one and only true church upon the face of the earth.  

Almost all our other investigators are kind of in the same boat..... Those that were progressing greatly took some steps back and we kind of feel like we´ve got no one.  The Elders Quorum President introduced us to a family (that lives an hour away so the Servers had to take us en carro to visit them) but they are great!  They came to Stake Conference this Sunday and loved it!  And that was a HUGE blessing and sacrifice because they had to take a bus at 6 a.m. to get here in time for 8 o'clock priesthood session.  The downside is that they are not doing well financially and dont have the funds to get here every week... and we cant pay for them every week because when we leave they will be out of luck.  But it is great to find people will to act and sacrifice!

Leda also came to Stake Conference!  Have I talked to her before?? My comp and I have been fasting to know who we should focus on this month... and during that fast is when everyone stopped progressing and told us no more... except for Leda.  She came to Stake Conference and was full of tears as she heard President Wilkinson and Elder Alonso talk.  It was interesting because the majority of the talks were about Ward councils yet she felt the spirit and knows that this church is true.  We will be going to family night with her tonight... and I THINK she is already married which is a MIRACLE!!  Ester bailed.  As well as everyone else.  But her husband joined us for a lesson on family history and they spent the night looking up their ancestors and looking at pictures of temples!!! They need to be married still but maybe that family will be a focus this month too!

Basically the week was full of ups and downs as always.  I am constantly amazed at how much I learn in such a short time in this work.  I am SO BLESSED.

I love you all more than words.  Thank you for all your love and prayers and worries and support for me, my companion, and my investigators.  We are forever grateful.

Love Always,

Hermanita Galletita

ps... I was in charge of a childrens choir with all the primary kids... we start the sunday general stake conference session.  it was beautiful and they all call me Hermanita Galletita and I love it.  Many of the same kids come to my piano class.  I am so grateful to be able to use these things to help the kids... they are the cutest.

pps... In this stake... I mean DISTRICT conference... they announced that Guanacaste will at long last become a STAKE!! It is such a blessing!!!!!! This means that now all these members can have a patriarch!! They can have temple recommend interviews HERE and not wait for President Wilkinson to come from San Jose!!! I am so grateful!!! Hooray!

We got to go to African Safari for P-day today.  Gringo members own it and let us go for free!!

Semana Cincuenta: One year in the mission

WOW time flies.  What even happened this week??  Can you believe that this week I will be completing ONE YEAR in the mission?  Wowza.  What a huge blessing to be serving the Lord.

Woops... I dont really remember what happened this week... all the days blended together... :)

Updates on investigators!

Diana and Michael:  They are just so great.  I love them!  They asked blessing this week for some challenges they have and the spirit testified so strong as the Elders used their priesthood power to bless this family.  They are reading the Book of Mormon daily and say they are in Alma!!! They have hymns and the proclamation hung up on the wall.. it is beautiful..... We found some old skirts of Hermana Corrales to bring to Diana so now they have NO excuses to not come to church.  But they didn´t come.  :( :( :( And they didn´t answer us and we dont know why.  :(  We called today to invite them to a family home evening with a GREAT family (Maria and Adrian) Thinking that maybe the problem is that they don´t feel comfortable with the members... but they said no because they don't like visiting peoples houses.  COME ON PEOPLE!! How are they going to ever feel comfortable if they don´t put themselves out there a bit!  I don´t know what is going on but we won´t give up on them!!!  They will be baptized and married... I just hope it is while I am here!

Ester:  Great as always... reading the Book of Mormon daily...has family home evenings now with her step son that is member.... (Francisco)  Francisco passed the sacrament yesterday!!! Yay!! But Ester and Gloriana and the fam didn´t come to church :(  Even though she already finished the whole 40 days thing.  She has ALL the lessons and is so ready to be baptized.  She just needs to go to church and... well... and get married.  Like the rest of Liberia.  

Everyone is doing well!  No one came to church.  Not one :(  I don´t know what more to do without pushing pushing pushing and convincing and forcing them to come..... I feel I can only teach with power and authority and the spirit and help them understand and then the rest is in their agency.  It is just sad when people make the wrong choice...

One more thing happened!! Well last week we got a new branch president... he is the husband of our cook and he is GREAT!  Well he completed years this week and so we all went to buy him a cake at the bakery... fast forward and the whole day I was searching for my planner... I could not find it ANYWHERE!! And that thing is very important.  Well turns out I left it in the fridge of the bakery!  haha.  The lady and I had a good laugh.  

The church is true.  Keep doing those little things.  Thank you for all you do for me.  I love you all SO much and every day it is confirmed to me that this IS the only true church.  And as always I have to give a shout out to yáll as my family... because everyday as I work with families here to apply the gospel in their lives... I see the blessings in my family and I am SO grateful.  We are so  SO blessed!! thanks for all you do.  Keep working hard to be a little better every day!! Thanks for everything.

Hermana Cook

Semama Cuarente y Nueve: Week of the Family

Hello one and all!! How are you all doing?  I had a beautiful week with many miracles and much growth.  I love the mission.

Monday we had a noche de hogar with sister Guiselle presidenta de primaria.  She brought some neighbors over and though they weren´t hugely interested it was beautiful to see the members participating in the obra misional!!

Tuesday we visited Ester... she is so great.  She knows the church is true... is reading DAILY El Libro de Mormón... and is working on dejando café.  She is a gem.  We just gotta getter married.  Also we had an activity tonight... this is the Semana de la Familia so every night we have an activity!  It is awesome.

Wednesday we went to Daniel Oduber and visited Marta... who this very day moved in with her boyfriend :( :( :( :( :( then Adrian and Maria gave us a referencia... we asked them who the first people were that came into their heads to share the gospel with and they told us the sister that lived four doors down... so we contacted her.. she received us!! Her name is Diana and she has two great children... they assist a different church but at the end of our lesson she said, "I dont know why... but I know that God sent you here."  It is such a blessing to be a representative of Jesus Christ and have people recognize the hand of the Lord in this work.  I love being a missionary!!

Thursday one of the young women visited with us all day!  We contacted all the menos activos and recent converts in Pueblo Nuevo because we haven´t gone to those parts in quite some time.  We said that we could not leave there without finding a new investigator.. and just as we were about to leave we chatted with a woman that said that members of the church have visited her much and she would love to hear our message!  Her name is Lizeth and her daughter is Abigail... they also go to a different church but they received our message well.  What a blessing.  As we strive to work and find people to teach.. the Lord always blesses us!

Friday we taught Mar.  We taught the Restoration and she... well... she said that she is very active in her church.........  I still think she will get baptized once she reads the Book of Mormon and can gain a testimony of that book.  It is truly the keystone of our religion!  We also taught Ester again and Marta (getting her all excited to get married) then Diana and Michael.  We taught them the Plan of Salvation and all is well!  Then we found a new investigator named Andrea.  She said she had been praying to be able to come closer to God.  She has a HUGE desire to change and to attend a church.  She has truly been prepared for a long time to recieve us!! She immediately received the invitation to be baptized.  what a blessing!!

Saturday we spent all day in activities at church... teaching piano and doing a childrens choir... a healthy afternoon where we taught the word of wisdom and shared healthy recipes from our countries (thanks Kelsey for sending me those like a year ago!! they came in really handy this week!) then a concert from the Liberian Symphony.  It was fun and we contacted a TON of non members that came!  

Sunday was the best day ever.  It started out awful because Diana and Michael (and all the other investigators) wouldnt answer us.  So we went to search for them at their house and their niece told us they didnt want to talk to us because they were watching tv.  So we went to church sad and without investigators... then these two little girls RAN to me and hugged me so big and gave me a leaf in the shape of a heart :) they are the daughters of Ester!! Even though she can´t come... she sent her daughters!! It was awesome.  But we were still a little bummed about all the other investigators and especially Diana and Michael.  We visited menos activos all day then went to a fireside where we watched the Area Presidency´s message on families.  something I noticed... the problem with ALL our investigators and those of Liberia also is the law of chastity.  Seriously!! And because of that none of them want to come to church... because this sin is SO weakening.  But the church is focusing SO much on the family.  Because the gospel and strengthening the family is how we can combat the evils of Satan and his attempts to get everyone with the law of chastity!  I love the gospel.  Then we went to church at  night... we brought Norma who is the mom of some recent converts (who are also less actives) and she accepted a baptismal date for the sixth of June!! It was a great blessing..  we walked in... and SURPRISE!! Theres Diana and Michael... sitting hand in hand ready to start Sacrament Meeting... they had tears in their eyes as they told of their day and their decision to come.  they wont be married this month... but we are still working with them.  I am so grateful  for the many miracles that we have experienced this week.  I feel so much peace and so much of the spirit and I have so much more to share but I am out of time!!  :)  I hope you all have the BEST WEEK EVER!  I love you!!

Hermanita Cookie!

This couple visiting Liberia texted us this picture of Hermanas Cook and Hermana Loza

Semana Cuarenta y Ocho: Wedding Planner

Hello everyone!!!! It was so so nice to talk to you all yesterday! In fact it was the BEST!  The time went by SO fast I couldn´t believe it... and I think we should have been able to have a call for every family member so everyone got their fair share of time... but hey that´s life :)  And the next time we talk I will be in the United States!! Can you  believe how fast time is passing?? I sure can´t!!! 

Well this week was great.  We had many spiritual experiences and found some pretty incredible people!!

Tuesday was consejo de liderazgo in San Jose... always a highlight of the month!

Wednesday I had an interview with President!!! He is GREAT and always helps me remain motivated and feel the Lord´s love for me.  I hope you all get to meet him soon!!  In the interviews he always reminds me a lot of Dad in the way he talks and shares the gospel and his counsel.  Man I´ve got a great dad.

Thursday we had divisions with the sisters in La Union.  It was so fun!! I was with Sister Carpenter.. a gringa... and now I know why I havent ever had a gringa comp.  They are SO easy to get along with and we just talk in english the whole time haha.  The Lord knows what He is doing.

DIANA AND MICHAEL

They didnt come to church this week :( But we are planning their wedding!! This week we will be selling arroz con leche and arroz de maíz in the streets to raise the money.  Yay!!!

ESTER

She is really great and will surely be baptized in June.  She cant go to church until she finishes her 40 days of having her baby.  But she is progressing and working on getting rid of café.  The only thing is that she isn´t married either... but hey I am gonna be pro at wedding planning!! (great practice for after the mish right??) :)

MARVIN AND LINDA

Were baptized on Saturday!!! Yaaaaay!!!!!! The whole family came and it was beautiful.  A recent convert baptized them.. it was his first time baptizing and struggled quite a bit..he needed someone like dad to practice with him and help him feel confident.  But it was a great service and Linda and Marvin came to their confirmation on Sunday in a shirt and tie and pretty dress... they looked like members all their lives :)

MAR

New investigator that is GREAT!!! She is recovering from cancer... and her husband recently became a drug addict and ran off with another female drug addict... it is really sad but she is so faithful and loves the Lord.  She is beautiful and so special to us already... she calls us her daughters and has shared all her experiences and is just great.  We hope to help her come to church and be baptized the 13th of June.

Only Marta and Jackeline came to church.  That is just the greatest struggle still.  I have made a promise with myself and the Lord that I will NEVER use an excuse to not go to church... Do you all realize just HOW important the sacrament is??????? We canNOT miss that.  There is no excuse good enough.  Sacrifice what it takes. 

Well that was the week!! So grateful for all of you and for the chance to skype you and to just have you as my family.  I am truly blessed.  I hope you all have the best week ever and keep working hard to reach your goal in the Book of Mormon!! :)  I love you more than words!!

Hermanita Galletita (thats what they call me now)

Marvin and Linda's baptism

Semana Cuarenta y Siete: We ate chalupas

Hola Hola!!! How goes it??? Very good.

MONDAY

We visisted Isabel.... she is just great... she accepts everything so easily and says that since we have started visiting her she has felt closer to her Savior.  She committed to come to church on Sunday!!!!!!! We will see if she comes through :)

Then we had a Noche de Hogar with Presidente Norton.  We ate chalupas (yummmmm) and Sister Norton gave us home made natural queso crema.  

MARTES

Ay ay ay.  The días are all blending together.  Well we visited Gina!! Have I already told you about her???  She was a reference from Elisa (recent convert) and we met her when she was at Elisa's house.  Then we went to visit her today and she was lovely.  She started telling us all her dudas and what she had heard about los Mormones.  Her whole life she had always said that she would NEVER listen to the Mormons or go to church because they are satanic :) but when she listened to us at Elisa's she liked what she heard and wanted to come to church to see!!  

WEDNESDAY

Today we found a beautiful family at the end of the day... we were walking and I said hola to a little girl and she was just so cute so we chatted with her then she ran to ask her mom if we could share something with them.... the mom let us in and she had an 8 DAY OLD baby!! We shared a message with the whole family and it turns out their oldest son was baptized like 3 years ago!! So now it is time for the whole family to join :) They committed to come to church!!! PRAYERS!

JUEVES

Today we had a Multi Zone conference with President.... It was SOOOO GOOD!! We aren't doing so hot with our key indicators this month so we all thought he was gonna scold us a bit... but it was just the most spiritual meeting.  He taught us about planning and teaching more powerfully.  He is a GREAT teacher and I am SO blessed to be learning so much from him!

FRIDAY

We visited Ester again...and Diana (remember her?? how she ran out calling us to see if we can teach her??) well we got to know her husband!! Michael! He asked SO MANY questions.  We was throwing out all these doubts and things he had heard... and very calmly and powerfully we answered every single one.  It is the best feeling to speak by the spirit.  At the end, they committed to be married and baptized the 23rd of this month and to come to church on Sunday!

SABADO

We taught Isabel again... sometimes she keeps her commitments... sometimes not...

SUNDAY

The family of Hermana Corrales came to surprise her!  So we spent the whole day in an air conditioned car :) que rico.  only Marta and Jackeline came to church :( good news... Marta is engaged!!!!!! she will at last live the Law of Chastity!! YAAAAY!!! They havent set a date yet because she really cant commit to anything... but I have faith! :)  

I sure do love you all!! I am now companions with Hermana Loza... she is Columbiana and is great!  I will learn lots from her.  Until next week!!!!!!

I LOVE YOU, Hermana Cook

An iguana in Guanacaste.  They are everywhere!

A resort.  What I thought Costa Rica looked like:)

Semana Cuarente y Seis: So easy to accept and hard to act

HOLA BUENAS MIS QUERIDOS FAMILIARES Y AMIGOS.  

Great to talk to you all this week.  It feels like a week where NOTHING happened but EVERYTHING happened at the same time.  

LUNES

Taught Isabel briefly in the street... we started to teach and it felt like Deja vu... like we had already taught the Restoration... so we briefly reminded her with the pictures in the pamphlet.... She said she had no questions and understood it all and we left.... Buuuuuuut we had never taught her the Restoration before.  Woops.  Perhaps we missed an opportunity to give her a more spiritually experience... but... hey.. she accepted it all :)  Then we headed to a Noche de Hogar with the familia Arias (recent converts Maria and Adrian).  Marta lives with them and she invited her boyfriend to the family night.... We knew she was on defense for us to invite her to be baptized again... so we decided to focus 100% on the family in general and not on her.  I think she was shocked.  We made Aztec Soup which is yummy... Hermano Adrian had the camera for the WHOLE hour that we were cooking so I started doing a cooking show and posing for a homemaking magazine in all the pictures.  I am a hoot.  They love me.  (I sent some pics of the cooking but left out the good modeling shots for when I come home)

MARTES

Today we taught Jackeline and were FINALLY able to teach the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity.  She is addicted to Café but accepted that commandment immediately.... but then she said, ´´Hermanas... I can´t be baptized.... I am living with the dad of Erick and we aren´t married´´ NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! How did we not know this until the week of her baptism???? our fault.  How sad... But Erick will still be baptized on Saturday.

WEDNESDAY

Marta is still on the defensive and says no no no no no with all kinds of Latin attitude

JUEVES

Divisions with Hermana Contreras!!! Which was super weird because we live in the same apartment and work in the same area haha.  When we started the divisions we were walk in a street and Hermana Corrales called us.  She said that a woman I had contacted in the street a few weeks ago saw us and called Hermana Corrales a million times to ask if we could visit with her.  So Hermana Contreras and I went to find her.  She said that Satan was stopping her call from going through and trying to keep her from meeting with the Missionaries of our Heavenly Father.  We barely taught anything... really just testified... and she accepted to be baptized.  She needs to get married too but she and her partner want to!! We just have to sell arroz con leche or algo to raise la plata.  Her name is Diana and she is so great!!!

FRIDAY

Today was good!  Erick passed the interview.  He recited word for word the definition of Tithing as it states in the pamphlet :)  He is so great.  And Jackeline is fighting to drop Café.  Today her students went all the way to the store to get milk for her coffee so she would drink it.... and she still didn´t!! She gave it to some other students... but she is suffering greatly with head aches :)

SATURDAY

Erick was baptized today!!! It was so so so great.  When he came out of the water he shouted ´´QUE RICO!!!!´´ haha.  He is a cutie.  I pray that his mom with have the chance to join him soon!!!!! Marta surprised us by coming to the baptism... and afterwards she said that she wouldn´t COMMIT to anything... but would TRY to be baptized the next saturday... we will see if she decides to act.

SUNDAY

We had MILLIONS of people that were going to come to church... Isabel... ivanna... Marianella (we found her Saturday) Diana and her family... Marta... a ton... and NONE of them came.  Why can´t people figure out that the blessing won´t come until they ACT???  Why is it so easy to accept and so hard to act?? well. We will keep working with them.... The family of marvin and Maria came at night half an hour late but they came!!! Marvin found a bunch of pals that are members so that´s good!! and the kids LOVE it.  I think Maria not so much... but the kids are great.  Marvin and Linda.  

All is well in Costa Rica.  I LOVE THIS WORK!!  This month I have been thinking and praying a LOT.  I felt like if I finished the mission in that moment... I would not be happy with my service.  I am having a blast and having great experiences... but I have been thinking too much in the future and what will happen after the mission.  My heart and mind haven´t been in it.  Another sister gave me two talks... ´´being purified´´ and ´´the fourth missionary´´.  I think they have changed my mission and I am working to apply those principles YA and for the rest of my mission.  See if you can find those talks!! They are GREAT!  

I love you all.  I love this gospel.  It is TRUE!!!!  

Love, Hermanita Cookie

In the house of Maria, Adrian and Marta making aztec soup for Family Night.

All the dogs are dying in the streets cause of the heat:(

Erick's baptism.

My white legs compared to my arms.

Much much much of our area is just white hot sand.

The old zone in Guanacaste before they divided us to Liberia and San Roque.

Semana Cuarenta y Cinco: The shining house

HELLO FAMILY!  I can't believe another week has gone by.  SO fast.  

LUNES

Pues el Domingo los Elderes nos dijeron que Marta no quiere bautizarse pero but she is embarrassed to tell us.  So we headed to Noche de Hogar con ella y Maria y adrian para ayudarla.  She had a TON of questions.  Instead of answering question for question... we taught her the Plan of Salvation...which really answers all the questions we could have!  :) The lesson was so spiritual... but by the end she told us, ''I am not getting baptized.  I haven't prayed yet but I'm not going to do it.  It isn't the Lord's time'' with ALL the Latin attitude in the world.  I told her that if she hasn't prayed she can't know that it isn't the Lord's time!  So we invited her to pray right there and then and ask specifically if she should be baptized on the 18th.  When she asked that question the spirit was SO strong... she started to cry then cried and cried.... We said, ''well hermana?  What are you going to do?"  ''Voy a bautizarme'' dijo ella.  Ooooooh it was so beautiful!! The spirit was so strong and we KNEW that this was the fecha that the Lord had planned.  She is ready to be baptized!  

MARTES

Today we taught a muchacha named Isabel.  She is 21 years old and I already love her and think we are going to be friends for life.  She has a little six month old baby and lives with her sisters.  We taught her and invited her to be baptized and she said simply, ''sí!'' It was so easy I was kind of shocked :) So I asked again... "''Hermana, we are preparing a baptismal service for the ninth of May... will you be baptized on this day?'' again ''Sí!! Voy a hacerlo.'' It was beautiful :)  The Lord REALLY IS preparing people!!  Then we visited Ivanna and her mom Mayela... they seem a little more duro de corazón but there is potential.

MIÉRCOLES

Today we were in divisions with the Hermanas de San Roque.  I was with Hermana Guit.  Our plans were AWFUL because we had plans in Pueblo Nuevo all day... then Jackeline and Marta in Daniel Oduber y Alaska... opposite sides of the area y no hay buses.  But that's okay we did what we had to do.  The lesson with Marta was a bummer.  Turns out she doesn't want to keep the Ley de Castidad because she has a new novio :(  But we worked hard to help her see the blessings and feel the spirit....  Then Jackeline wasn't home... AGAIN!! We haven't been able to teach her in almost two weeks!!!! All our baptisms are falling through and I am so sad that these people I truly love are rejecting us :(  BUT we had a good miracle... at seven o'clock Noche de Rama was starting at the church... and we were about half an hour away.  We started to run... but I stopped at the corner by Jackeline's house and just stared at this one house... Hermana Guit said lets go!  And I said...''ok but remind me about this house... it is shining!!'' haha... it really was though I'm not kidding.  She said, ''well let's just knock it and ask directions to get to el centro super rápido and then we will run'' so we did... a man answered... we said ''Buenas!  Somos misioneras-'' and before we could ask directions or say anything more he said come in!!!!!! Invited us in and brought his children to listen to us... we were in charge of part of the Noche de Rama so we really couldnt stay but we shared a tiny little message of our purpose and put a cita for another día.  It was such a fun little miracle!!

JUEVES

Today we visited Marjorie... she is great... she has LOTS of questions and doubts... she is letting things her mom says and other people say plant even MORE doubts in her head.  But for every doubt and question there is an answer!! We just dont understand yet.  So we have been helping her clear up all her doubts.  Then we visited Xinia... the ex-wife of recently baptized Marco.  She accepted to pray and ask if she should be baptized the 25th of this month!  Then Kathya... and um... her... friend.. Wendy.  There are possible some problemitas there...

VIERNES

Today we visited Ivanna again... she is actually AWESOME!  She is so prepared.... she has GREAT experience receiving answers to her prayers and has great faith in that.  She accepted all our message and ALMOST accepted to be baptized on the ninth of May but then her Mom came in and kinda put a damper on things.  Then we visited Marta.... still doesn't want to keep the Law of Chastity... she acted like such a little girl texting her boyfriend during the whole lesson and giggling...come on Marta!!!! This is salvation!!!!!  Then we visited Oldemar and his wife Kathya (from the shining house by Jackeline!) They really are GREAT!!!  They are Christain Evangelicos... but they only joined that church hace 5 meses.  They believe in the importance of families... are married... teach the gospel the best they know it to their children.  We taught them the Plan of Salvation... and though they are still firm in ''their'' iglesia... in the prayer.. Kathya thanked Heavenly Father for sending these angels to their family.. and that even though they don't know why... she knows that He sent us.  It was beautiful!!!

SÁBADO

Kathya is possibly almost surely drinking coffee again and lying to us about it... the kids say it all :)  It is sad.  But I know the road for new converts is really rough!  She needs more friendship and support from the members.  Hey- be really good friends to all new members!!!  At night we visited a family that my comp found before I got here... but we almost never have visited them.  Maria and Marvin and their children Marvin Linda and Anderson.  They are beautiful and accepted our message and the invitation to be baptized on the ninth of May!  Maria and Marvin won't be able to because they are living together and he is still married in Guatemala... but the children will be able to!!  What a blessing.  There are so many people here prepared to receive the gospel in their lives.

DOMINGO

Today was sad. Really sad.  All these great people we taught this week were committed to come to church!  But NO ONE came.  No one.  No Marta.. No Jackeline...No Xinia.... None of the new investigators... Ivanna... Isabel.... No one.  It was so sad.  During the day we called them all and Marta still doesn't want to be baptized... Jackeline Xinia and Ivanna didn't answer... Isabel said she'd come to the little one at seven at night.. and Marjorie said that she wanted to stop receiving us and wanted to return the Book of Mormon.  It was so sad.  No one was receiving us to teach all day... I was bummed.  Then we found a sister that is the daughter of a 90 year old member that isn't baptized.  We taught her and invited her to be baptized right away on the 25th!  She said she would pray about it... we may have a great miracle.  Then we did divisions with some ward members... Heidy and I found a coupld that received us... at the end the man said, ''My mission now is to prove to you that you are in the wrong.  If what you teach is actually true... I'll join.  But if not.. you've gotta face that you have been tricked.'' I said firmly, ''Está bien hermano!!'' haha.  I know without a SINGLE doubt that this is TRUE!  100% true.  And I know from the one source that can't lead us astray... my Heavenly Father!  So don't worry yáll.  :) Then.... we had the Sacrament meeting at 7 pm for those that work during the day... The whole family of Maria and Marvin came!!! IT was a great blessing.... then... the best miracle of all.... JACKELINE!! After two weeks of not hearing from her and thinking she didn't want anything... she came!! All by her self... when she walked in tears filled my eyes and SO MUCH LOVE filled my heart.  I haven't felt so much love for someone in a while... it was such a miracle that she came. We talked to her afterwards... she is having lots of problems with the father of her children.... people are mocking her for coming to church... but she told us that she has prayed and she knows it is true and still wants to be baptized on the 18th (which now we dont know if she can do because she is living with the father of her children)... we FINALLY gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon because we haven't been able to visit her and she was SO grateful.  We told her it was the most valuable gift we could give... and she accepted it with tears in her eyes.... it was just so glorious.  Heavenly Father answers prayers.  He gives us trials to strengthen our faith... but His will is ALWAYS that His children can come unto him.  The sad thing is that His children have their albedrío.  And often times they choose... like Marta... to reject the answers they've received... to not live the commandments they know are true.  I hope we can all make an extra effort to follow más the will of God in our lives.  He is our Father!! He loves us and wants the best for us.  And the way to receive that is through keeping the commandments.  I love this gospel.  I love this work.  I am happy to sacrifice these short 18 months.  And I am grateful for each one of you and all you've taught me all my life...... I'll see you soon!!! Skype you in a month!!

I LOVE YOU! 

Hermana Cookie (That's what they call me here... Alajuela was Hermanita Coco... now it's Hermana Cookie) :)  

Semana Cuarenta y Cuatro: Semana Santa

Well Happy Easter family and friends!!!!!!! How did you enjoy it?? I am sad to say that Easter doesn't exist here.  Here they call it Semana Santa... they have different activities and processions that they do on certain days... and Friday, Saturday and Sunday EVERYONE goes to the beach :)  or the river. So the week was pretty slow... no one was home :) But that's okay! It was still great.  Also... weird but they do NOTHING to celebrate on Sunday... which is THE day important... THE day sacred....wait... sacred day.... man I'm confused.

TUESDAY

Today we went to San Jose for Leadership Council!!! It was so fun to see Hermana Ortiz and Elder Macias as well as old friends from La Paz!  Presidente gave a GREAT capacitación and I learned SO much!  He asked me to share about my experiences when I was in La Paz... it was probably the most spiritual time of my mission!  Then we took the bus and went home.  Only ten hours in a bus today.  So fun!  :)

WEDNESDAY

Today the Elders gave us a reference of a mom named Marjory.  She is great!  She has lots and lots of questions but I think she is very interested!  She has a baptismal date for the 25th of this month.  We also found some nuevos... one is named Zayda.  Her son died three months ago.  We had a VERY spiritual lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  She told us that her son came to her in a dream and told her to care for her grama who is 90 years old and very sick.  Then we visited Marta who is a friend of recent converts... she ALSO has lots of questions but is progressing well for her date on the 18th!  (Today was April Fools Day... Latinos don't celebrate that either.)

THURSDAY

Today we visited someone named Velkies... She is a mom that has been ´´married´´ (living with a man) since she was fourteen years old.  When we asked her who God was for her... well she had no answer.  She doesn't know who God is or that she is a daughter of Him!!! What a GREAT blessing the gospel is!!! What a great gift of knowledge we have!!! I hope we treasure it and realize that there are people out there... our brothers and sisters... that don't know it!! That don´t understand their great potential and their divine nature!!! Goodness I love being a missionary.  Velkies can´t read so we will be visiting her briefly every day to read the Book of Mormon with her.  She had a baptismal date for the 25th but she didn't come to church so it fell :(

FRIDAY

No one was home... no one was in the street... not a single shop was open... so we basically did service for members all day.  And I got very burned :) Aaaaaand I've started getting headaches everyday this week so I´ve got a new goal to drink water :)

SATURDAY

CONFERENCE!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!  It was just the best.  There are about 6 gringos in the stake so we all watched it in English in the high council room.  I am so grateful to have living prophets!!! In the Liahona... it had an interesting article that said that when Noah had to build the ark.. he didn't read the Bible for instructions... he needed modern current revelation!!!  In that same way... though the scriptures are critical to our spiritual knowledge and strength... we also need LIVING CURRENT MODERN revelation and we are SO blessed to be able to receive that from living current prophets and apostles of God!  

After conference... my poor companion was in too much pain to work.  So she went with the senior couple and I went to work with a member.  We couldn't find any of the investigators but the Lord guided us to find two senior sisters that no one has visited from the ward in a long time!  We almost tripped on a little girl riding her bike... then ten minutes later we saw the same little girl! We went to chat with her and share a little message with her mom... then her mom said that HER mom is a member!  We went in to meet her and she is just this little old lady that can't go to church because she is so old and sick.. but she has her family home evenings EVERY Monday night ALL by herself!!!! What a great example!! She gave us the referral of another little old lady that lived near by.  Maybe we didn't find a hundred new investigators but the Lord guided us to his beloved daughters :)

SUNDAY

Conference again!!! What a blessing.  Then we visited Xinia... the ex-wife of recent convert Marcos.  and visited recent converts Juancito y Clarita.  They gave us deer meat!!! So we went home and made fajitas.  Mmmmmmmm.

Not the most productive or miraculous week.  But it was a good one.  I love my comp and our roommmates.  Oh did I tell you?  We share the apartment with the other 2 sisters of the ward so it feels a LOT like College.  Its fun!  But they are very messy and sometimes there is drama which I desperately try to avoid.  but it is fun!) I love Liberia... OH go look up the video of David Archuleta that he made... almost every person in the video is in our branch!  The first counselor our cook... a ton!  And when he is walking down the streets of a little city town?? thats Liberia centro!!! chiva.  And watch the one in spanish.  It's awesome!

THE CHURCH IS TRUE!! No doubt about it.   Remember to pray and read the scriptures!! Every day every day EVERY DAY!!  I just love this gospel.  THank you so much for all your love and prayers..... i cant believe how fast the time is flying!!!  One conference more and bam, I'm home!!  Wow.  Also we are skyping in like a month!  Wowza.  Keep becoming a little better every day.  LOVE YOU ALL

Con Mucho Amor,

Hermanita Cookie (in every area the people call me something different.. my last area was Coco... here I'm Cookie!)

Multi-Zone Conference with Elders Duncan and Maynes

Mission Conference with Elder Alonso

Processions and Chanting in the streets for Easter