Here Goes Nothing

Hey y'all. Well, we are experiencing quite the change right now. Last week President called my companion and I into his office to tell us that our ward, which is us two and the other two sisters we live with will be expanding it's boundaries AND it will be left to just my companion and I. Yep, we're opening an area and expanding our ward in the middle of training. We prayed for more people to teach and we got about 65. I prayed to further improve my language skills and here I am leading a new area. I prayed to grow and progress as a missionary and there sure is a lot for me to learn here. So, in short, God answers prayers. Sometimes not the way we want. I've realized that rarely the things we ask for are wrapped up and mailed to us, but usually we're given a way to work hard and obtain them for ourselves. 

I'll be honest, I've missed a few nights of sleep due to some stress. But, if the Lord trusts us and the Mission President does too, that's enough for me. I'm excited to do hard things and learn to further rely on the Lord. Thank you for all your prayers.

Sister Cork

Picture, Picture Pag May Time

 Sharing the gospel with all who will listen.

 He thought he was sneaky. He escaped us for two weeks until now.

 Our American Sign Language class. To get in you have to sign what you learned last week. I'm so thankful for all of the great volunteers we have!

 Making our new area book. It was a stressful night.

 Me and my girl, Louie.

Ward FHE with CJ and Sister Romero

Magandang Umaga

Good morning! How's October treating all y'all?

This week was great. Oh how I love General Conference. When I lived in Utah I under appreciated the efforts the Church makes to ensure that every chapel in the whole world receives the Conference broadcast. Now I find myself endlessly thankful for all those on a local, regional, and global area that make it possible for us in the Philippines to listen to the words of our prophet, apostles, and leaders. It truly is such a blessing. 

I hope you all listened to the messages with open hearts. If you haven't heard them yet or even if you're not a member of my faith, I encourage you to watch at least one talk. Take a few minutes of your time and make a plan on how you will implement what you learned in your life. Where do you need to change? What hands do you need to lift up that are currently hanging down?

LDS General Conference: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2014/10?lang=eng

Love you all. Check out my blog for pictures!

Sister Cork

Pictures

 The beginning of the lunar eclipse.



 Walking home in the rain from General Conference.

 My girls. I'm pretty sure this is an accurate representation of Laney & I at this age. They are such a handful. I'm so thankful for a good mom.

On our way to General Conference

Sunday Session with my "daughters" in the mission. Sister McCarthy is my trainee and I was Sister Papalietelle's senior companion when she first visited the mission.



Life in the Middle

Hey y'all! Guess what? Last week I hit my halfway mark. I could hardly believe it. Have I really been out here that long? Thank you all so much for the support and love you have all sent my way these past nine months. I love y'all!

A lot of my feelings about how I feel about being in the exact middle of my mission can be described really well through Dieter F. Utchdorf's talk here. 

So, this week I just have a little advice for you. You know that person in church that you don't actually know? You see them one Sunday and you realize you've never really talked to them or maybe that you don't know their name. Go up to them, talk to them, sit with them, ask if they need anything, love them. Do you realize that sometimes coming to church takes courage? Welcome them, invite them, befriend them. I see first-hand almost weekly the difference it makes when someone is willing to reach out of their comfort zone in order to help someone establish a feeling of comfort for themselves. So, this week, say hello, shake hands, and have a chat with that person in church that you don't actually really know.

Love you!

Sister Cork

Pictures for the Week

 Building a fence

 Pretty sad little fence huh? We made the best of what we were given.

 ASL Class #2

 So, we all went to the stake center to watch the General Women's Broadcast, but there was a problem with the broadcasting system. So instead, women of all ages, cheered while watching the BYU vs. USU game.

 Public transportation is always an adventure here.

Bowling activity with our zone!

Pictures

 No makeup, no hairspray, but we've got kittens.

Saying goodnight to the sunshine.

 Our first ASL class