All right: highlight moments from the week:
1) Round II with the dog that bit me! We went back to the
same house (my companion had planned that house the night before and didn't
tell me which house on that street we were going to....which is good because
otherwise I might have objected) and this time as we walked up through the gate
we saw no dog and I confidently told Elder Ayers "Let’s go, no one ever
gets bit by the same dog twice!". About 5 seconds later the monster dog
came charging at us and this time I had my backpack off and started swinging
like crazy in 'defense mode!' Luckily the owner was nearby and no harm was done
to the dog or my left ankle. It turned out to be the home of a recent convert
who we thought had moved to Corpus but really was still living there! We had a
great lesson and he referred us to a friend who we’re now teaching as well!
2) We had 2 different exchanges and Elder Stott (from BYU)
taught me a lot about trusting in the Lord and working with urgency!
3) Played some morning basketball (Elder Ayers...my 6"7
companion has gotten a lot better since he figured out the art of dribbling and
that if he gets closer to the hoop it’s pretty much impossible to block him!)
4) Sunday was a fun day! Everyone and their dog had a
cookout so as we went by visiting people we had plenty of carne asada offers
and even some pan dulce! Every house has a fence, a dog, and a homemade
barbecue made out of a tire rim and scrap metal! I love the Valley!
5) I had some really great studies from the Bible this week
reading in the first few chapters of James and then in Judges as well (Samson’s
pretty crazy!).
All in all...it was a great week!
I am so grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me
to serve a mission. It helps me so much to feel my Heavenly Fathers love, to
see the hand of the Savior in my own life and the lives of those around me, and
to learn from the Spirit as I study, pray and serve others! Often people ask us
why we come to South Texas to serve as missionaries and my answer usually comes
out as something along the lines of "well, we know these things are true
and we've seen the blessings and happiness that have come into our lives by
living these things and we want to share them with everyone." Lately I’ve
pondered that a little further and realized how much I keep going through that
same process over and over again. Before my mission I knew how to believe in
the gospel, how to learn it and to teach it and to some extent apply it to my
own life. Here in South Texas I think that more than anything I’ve learned how
to live the gospel, and how to make daily changes to live more accordingly with
the plan that I know my Father in Heaven has for me. The most exciting moments
of our week this week were times where Elder Ayers saw the families and
individuals we're visiting making changes to come closer to God or to see those
good changes from the past become firmly cemented and rooted into their
character. We've got a great friend named Rene who continues to show us what it
means to be completely honest with yourself, with God and with your fellow man.
Another lady Lupita has such a great desire to learn things from the scriptures
that she can put into practice today to help her become a better mother and
wife. Another young woman, who recently went through a painful separation, has
taught us how recognizable the peace of the gospel is! I love it! It’s great to
see the light of Christ come into their lives and direct them to the truth! As
I see people on my mission making changes and losing their old worldly selves
as they are reborn in Christ it reminds me of the Savior’s words:
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but
whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world,
and lose himself, or be cast away?
I know the Savior expects so much of us and the reward will
be great and we have so much to gain in this life and the life to come if we
take up our cross daily in following His example!
Be happy and make a good change this week!!!
Con amor,
Elder Cook!!!!
P.S. Whenever we teach we say an opening and a closing
prayer. One of us missionaries always says the first one and then last one is
said by the person who’s being taught or who we’re visiting! Time after time
they always pray for our families! So remember...the people you pray for often
pray for you as well! It’s such a great thought isn't it?
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