Hola mi familia!
I'm staying in Mercedes!......and so is Elder Marble! We're
actually the only companionship in the zone that’s not switching! Our neighbor
Elder Sanders is headed to the beach up in Corpus Christi and Elder Curletti
will be training a new missionary (ahh! Im old!). We were pretty surprised by
the news that Elder Marble will be staying but we're excited as well! We'll be
spending Christmas together and it looks like I'll probably be in Mercedes
until at least February! It really gives things a new perspective! I love this
little town though! It’s a great place! I'm excited as well to have more time without
recent converts!
A few interesting experiences....we were talking with a lady
in our ward during the week and I finally figured where I had heard of Weslaco,
Texas before my mission! The Flag of Our Fathers book (Scott has read it) about
Iwo Jima ...spends a considerable part giving the bio's of each of the flag
bearers...one of them is from Weslaco! (That’s the town where we go to church
and where most our members and the other 6 missionaries in our ward are!) This
whole time I knew it sounded familiar but it wasn’t until this week that I
found out why! We also had a good
community family night at the small Mercedes church building across from our
apartment. There were about 30 people that came and we had great support from
members. Wednesda was a crazy day getting the projector, DVD, chairs, and
tables and it brought back memories of student council events! Elder Marble,
Elder Curletti and one more elder were gone during the day until 5 o clock from
Tues-Thurs. because of leadership training. Because of that I taught in a trio
with Elder Sanders and Elder Bawden (he came out with me from the MTC). It was
really interesting teaching with the 3 of us and we spent most of the time in
the surrounding Mercedes area (the country area). Tomorrow will be transfers
and today we're having a final hurrah for our zone with a barbeque! A cold
front came in this morning and its cloudy and in the 70's with talk of it
getting colder this week (woohooo!). Right now we're teaching a few more
families (not just individuals) and its been interesting to teach to so many
age groups all at once.
With the time change its dark at 6 o clock now and so Sundays
and Mondays when we go out to work it seems pretty late! President has asked us
to get as many rides as possible from members in light of last year’s accident.
The anniversary of Elder Strong and Elder Walkers passing was this past Thursday.
At the time of the accident they were serving in the wards we served in now and
Elder Walker had served in Mercedes right before. Keep their families in your
prayers as well! I'm grateful for the protection I've had so far on my mission!
With our recent converts we've really taken a lot of time to focus on family
scriptures and prayers and it makes me so grateful for our habits as a family! This
past week I read a talk by Elder Schwitzer and at one point he mentioned how we should "find in each person’s
eyes the evidence of the Savior." It’s really helped me to feel a stronger
love for the people I've met and I love the attitude of relating every person
back to Christ. So much of the joy of missionary work and life comes from
loving other people! I know Heavenly Father loves each of us and He gives us
what we need to grow because He loves us! I'm grateful for all that Christ has
done and continues to do because of His love for us!
Thanks for all of your Love, support and prayers!
Con amor,
Elder Cook
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