FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS Uncle Chris!

28 September 2015 
["Uncle Chris" is one of Emily's nicknames for her Dad, whose birthday is tomorrow:) ]

Holaaaaa!

Espero que todos estén muy bien! [I hope you are all very well!] I just finished up my first week in Concepción and I am a big fan! The people here are so warm and friendly, the members and also most of the people we talk to on the street. One lady let us in and told us to sit down before we could even introduce ourselves! My companion is so sweet and funny and I am a big fan of her also, I am learning a lot! We have a young married couple Cynthia and Alejandro who are progressing a lot and we are working with them for October 17th to get baptized! They moved in next door to some really great members and that's how they got introduced to the church. 

Also this week we saw a really cool miracle! We met a young Colombian family (remember my comp is Colombian) and they were basically our best friends after like 5 minutes (actually at first the wife didn't like us but when we invited her to listen she completely changed!) They invited us to lunch and we had Colombian food and Hermana Vargas almost died of happiness, it was super yummy. Sadly, they are leaving today or tomorrow to return to Colombia, BUT they live in the same city as Hermana Vargas´ cousins who are members and we are going to tell the missionaries there to visit them because they are awesome!

Well something that I am learning is that I will always keep learning. Even more than a year into the mission, every day when I study I find things that I need to improve and apply to be a better missionary. I feel that I am still progressing a lot towards being a better missionary and I am so happy here. 

Here is a quote from Elder Bednar:

¨Most of us know that when we do things wrong and need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has made it possible for us to become 
clean through His redeeming power. But do we also understand that the Atonement
 is for faithful men and women who are obedient, worthy, and conscientious and 
who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully?¨

Repentance is not just for big mistakes. It is also for being a little better every day, and we will need it until we are like Jesus Christ, our perfect example in everything. I am so grateful for this short time that I have on the mission and for the sacrifice of my Savior that makes improvement, progress, forgiveness, and hope possible. 

I love you all so much! Have a great week! And get excited for GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! :) [Broadcast live on lds.org or byutv.org at 9am and 1pm both Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th. Also available to watch later on lds.org]

Best, 
Hermana Hooke

Chau Metán!! [plus lots of photos]

Hola a todos,

 

Well again I have absolutely no time (sorry...I promise I will write more next week!) but the biggest news is that I left Metán this morning. Leaving Metán was as hard or harder than leaving my home a year ago. I love the people there so much, and Hermana Ostler is one of my best friends! But life goes on. 

 

 

 

I am in Concepción, Tucumán, which is coincidentally Hermana Ostler's previous area. I am a madrastra (the 2nd companion [literally "stepmother")] of Hermana Vargas from Colombia. She has 3 months in the mission and is pretty much going to be the best missionary ever. I will send a pic next week. 

 

If there is something I've learned in the mission it's that we have to enjoy every moment. As Marjorie Hinckley said, we can't spend our days wishing for better ones ahead, we have to live and enjoy life now. So I am infinitely and eternally grateful for the opportunity to have served in Metán but I am also excited to be here and start a new adventure! 

 

Love you all, have a great week! 

xoxo 

Hermana Hooke

 

 

 

 

"...this week was good and I am alive!" (with photos to prove it:)

Heyyy sorry I ran out of time but this week was good and I am alive!

We have been talking with everyone (including an old man who asked us if we wanted to live with him...ew) , teaching, and trying to work better with the members to help less actives, new converts, and investigators. Especially we have been trying to use the Book of Mormon better and in every opportunity because it is such a strong testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ, and if we have a testimony of its truthfulness, the rest just falls into place. Of course we can still have doubts and trials but I know that God loves us as His children and everything works together for our good, even if we don't understand in the moment.

I love you all, have a great week!!

Hermana Hooke :)

 

Emilse and Maxi, some of my favorite people ever! Emilse is a recent convert, introduced to the church through her boyfriend Maxi

 

Slumber party in Tucumán the night before zone training

 

The Hermanas of Zona Tucumán (and some Elders)

The Hermanas of Metán!

The Week of the Power Outage and the Earthquake!

Okay it's not as exciting as it sounds. Haha there was an earthquake but I didn't even feel it on Friday, and on Thursday the lights in our area went out so we stayed in the house of a member waiting for the electricity to come back because it's a little sketchy walking around in the streets without light. Yup so that is the super exciting news of the week...

Also, I am very happy that in the near future I will have 4 nieces or nephews!! [Tom & Ashlee are expecting in March!! :)] He or she will be born just on time, when I am home. :)

This week was good, we found a ton of new investigators and are trying to work a lot more with the members, inviting them to give out pass along cards and pray for missionary opportunities. The prophets and apostles have promised that when we pray for missionary opportunities, they will come, and it is true! I invite you all to do it too! 

Noemí's little girls

Our family in Argentina--Diego leaves for his mission to Chile tomorrow!

Hermana Cachí [Emily is teaching her how to play the piano!]

Where we ran today!

Life is good, I am happy, and I have so many things in my life to be grateful for! My family, my companion, the opportunity to serve a mission and especially in Metán. And many more, but I am running out of time. 

Love you all lots! Have a superb week!

Con amor,

Hermana Hooke