I'm a slacker...

Sorry - I'm already sucking at updating this blog...

Ok - so Jess is doing great in the MTC...still. She leaves for the Philippines on April 6th. Let's hope she can say enough words in Tagalog to at least get her to a restroom when she needs it (but it won't even have toilet paper, so not sure the point).

Anyway - here is a snippet from her latest letter this week...
WARNING: she's getting pretty righteous, so if you're anything like me, just stuff any feelings of guilt way, way down. Enjoy!

Kumusta ang pamilya ko!

What's goin on with all of you??

This week has been amazing. Last Tuesday, L. Tom Perry came and spoke to us for devotional. He talked about the importance of our companionships. I've never felt so much power before when someone has just walked into a room.. it was overwhelming. I was so grateful for prophets and men called of God, but especially after being in Elder Perry's presence. It was so sweet, during the closing prayer, him and sister perry were holding hands, it just touched me. As he left, we were all singing quietly, onward christian soldiers.. can i say wow???

Then Friday night at the end of class, we went outside to sing our closing hymn. the weather was so warm and beautiful and the sun was setting so the mountains were on fire. we sang how great thou art and i believe in god in tagalog.

Sunday:
Sis. Sorensen and I taught our district meeting and it was on learning/teaching by the holy ghost and the importance of testimony, it was nice. in sacrament i sang joseph smith's first prayer in tagalog with three other elders-- haha, me a singer? no, but whatever i was just going with the flow. it was good. our branch president was released on sunday, sad because he was so sweet, but i'm sure pres. brown will be just as amazing. later on sunday we got to watch the draper temple dedication. one of the most amazing things i've ever witnessed-- seeing 2000 white handkerchiefs and knowing that each one was a missionary was humbling. later that night we watched the new restoration movie... even tho i've already seen it a bunch of times, its amazing everytime. last night i got some good insights from it, mostly about what i can do to show my appreciation for the sacrifice of joseph smith and all the other saints. I want all of you to read D&C 128:22, it's a motivating scripture. We've been talking a lot lately about how this work will not fail, righteousness will prevail, it's just a matter of where and how tall we will stand-- just some thoughts during the movie.

I get my flight plans this thursday. I leave the MTC in exactly two weeks, cannot believe it's already here. I'm not sure how prepared I am about the language (i.e. not at all) but I am so ready to love the filipinos. I am so ready to let them know the joy that comes from this gospel- hopefully the Lord will be kind and not make me struggle withe the language for too long :)

But, I would just like to let you all know, I am currently wearing a muumuu in the laundry room right now.. you girls will be proud of me, thank you very much. The elders are lovin it tho- one elder from Tonga came in and said "Sister Cook, you lookin FOB today" lol.

LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH
like for real kine..

Joe and jeff, have so much fun in hawaii and make sure you hurry and send me lots of presents while i'm still here!!!

MAHAL KO KAYO!!
-Sis. Cook