June 22, 2015

A note to my favorite man: 

Happy father's day Dad! I made a card for you with all the love in the world and I'm sorry it's late but I'll be there asap! Or as fast as the post system works. So...man aren't we glad prayer goes faster than mail? I really do love you dad and will serve as best as I can with this wonderful Cook name of mine. I'm also glad you married mom. 

This week was so good and creepy fast. I think it's because some of my favorite missionaries are headed home in the next few weeks, and that includes Johnny! It's been so fun serving at the same time and I'm sad to see it end, but it's weird to think I'll be back in just 8 months, almost 7. I was rereading my journal from being in Milwaukee and I kind of laughed thinking, how in the world did we survive that? Ha the joys of being a missionary. God is good and I think helps you keep your calm. Weird things just don't seem that crazy anymore. I do know mom prayed me to Gresham though. Someone had a vehicle stolen a few towns away and one of our members joked, better take the keys out the ignition this week then. Because that's the place we are in, everyone has their keys in their cars unlocked. It made it even better when, I also got an ovation from our neighboring Elders at the lunch table a few weeks back as I was teaching our mission president's wife some Milwaukee bus slang. 

We are still splitting time in two apartments but I think after 4 months, I'm starting to finally figure out how to better use our miles. It's all a work in progress but I love all the areas we cover and both wards that we serve in. We started at the week checking out a genuine Wisconsin cheese store where I purchased some dill flavor mozzarella. I have now lived! 

We had some great lessons and have been spoiled with cook outs, smores and burgers. But the high light of the week had to have been a meeting where our lesson focused on the importance of prayer. One part talked about the need to prepare to pray. It spoke of how when we pray, we get to open up communication with the very creator of the universe. And if we will prepare ourselves mentally for a true conversation, we can expect real answers from our very real Father. I am so thankful for my earthly father and feel lucky to be yours. I also am reminded of the quote that says, of all the titles of respect given to deity, our God has asked that we address HIm as Father. God is good and I love you!

Your cheese loving Sister Cook

Ps- once I figure out how to attach a video, I will send you the aftermath of my birthday balloons, spoiler alert: it involves the national anthem being sung with Helium.