Hello family and friends! Happy Monday!
It's getting darker and darker
each morning as I wake up to run. Fall is almost here! That is my favorite
month out of the year. It is beginning feel breezy in the mornings and at
night- cause: humidity, effect: sweater
We had many opportunities to
serve this week. Service opportunities are coming out of nowhere! We have
been truly blessed. I was able to do something that I have never done before.
Paint a house. I didn't
realize that painting takes a lot of patience and
exactness. We were painting with a member so it was a lot of fun! I would
paint another house again in a heartbeat because I love to serve.
I
attended a memorial service this weekend for a member of our ward. I knew him
and taught him the gospel a little bit. He recently just passed away last
Saturday. As I was sitting in the chapel pondering, I thought about the
blessings and knowledge that we have here on Earth today to know that our
families can be together forever. It doesn't just happen automatically, there
is the power of God here on Earth today that binds families together forever
in Holy temples. I have recently been asked this particular question a lot
throughout my mission and even before I came out here to serve: "Why would
you give
up 18 months of your life to serve a mission?" This verse describes
it perfectly. The 'why' of missionary work. "...that perhaps [we]
might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps [we] might bring them to
know
of the plan of redemption." Alma 17:16. It is because I know how
much this gospel has blessed my family and has blessed me individually as
a daughter of God. I left my family for 18 months so that perhaps I
might
be able to share with other families the blessings that Heavenly Father has
waiting for them. I love this gospel with all of my heart. I have a testimony
of the Plan of Happiness. I know that true joy comes from Jesus
Christ.
Sean's baptism is this Sunday! It has been such a joy to teach
him. He is so excited to be baptized. He asked me to give the talk on the
gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so happy! I hope that these six days fly by.
I will send a picture next week!
A thought for the week:
I have
been enjoying reading from the ensigns each month. I just received the
September 2014 ensign and read my now most favorite quote-
"The struggle to
break out of the cocoon develops the butterfly so it can fly. Without that
adversity, the butterfly would never have the strength to achieve its
destiny. It would never develop the strength
to become something
extraordinary."
I love this analogy. Throughout all of our personal
struggles, whether it is hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly, we are actually
becoming something extraordinary. Even though it may not seem like that at
the moment. Heavenly Father is aware of every detail of our struggles, He is
helping us to reach our full potential.
You will hear from me next
Tuesday! It is already transfers next week.
I can't believe it!
Love,
Sister McCook
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