Dear Connie and Bob,
I love hear of your missionary musings and experiences. Congratulations! There is nothing so satisfying and rewarding as being an instrument in the Lord's Hands in bringing someone into the gospel--and two is double the reward!! You two work fast!!

I wish we could be together to discuss The Infinite Atonement; I'm on my second reading and am using a different colored pencil this time, so I can identify what the Spirit wishes me to retain. I don't think I've ever read a non-scripture book so powerful. Tad Callister, as you probably know, was ordained to the Second Quorum of the Seventy last April and is being released as a Mission President in Canada. I work with his brother Reed Callister in Branch 10 with the Russians--the Callister brothers are all grandsons of LeGrand Richards--they are powerful older men.

We continue to enjoy our work at the MTC--interfacing and loving and (hopefully) lifting lives with hugs and encouragement; this seems to be so needed and appreciated by these humble, international missionaries. I stand in awe of their individual stories of conversion, baptism and journey to missionary life. Most exciting is that we continue to receive missionaries from the hinder parts of the world, in the past (hardly) untouched,e.g. Nepal, Pakistan (Urdu-speaking--difficult to find interpreters), Bulgaria and of course, most amazing, mainland China. Truly, the gospel is consuming the earth!! Speaking of China, our friends the Faldmos, whom we were suppose to 'couple' with in Nanjing, have had a fabulous experience (they return home next month and not returning). Looking back, I'm still not sure why Heavenly Father told us "no" concerning going to China (although Steve's left foot and ankle--the leg where his veins were stripped for the open-heart surgery 12 years ago--continue to be swollen and he has difficulty walking and is quite painful. He has been told he will live with it the rest of his life). We pray our service here will be accepted and consecrated unto the Lord for good--often we feel very underused and our talents not needed or recognized, but truly this is one of the stepping stones to growing older, I fear. Heavenly Father knows the righteous intentions and desires of our hearts, so we continue to go forward in faith building His kingdom in whatever/wherever He desires. Perhaps the test of patience and long-suffering is our biggest test!!

We have had two beautiful grand babies born the last month, e.b. Baby Reed Alexander Cook (to David--child #7-- and Sarah Cook in Portage, MI-1st son after 3 daughters) and Baby Adia Lola Cook (to Joseph--child #8-- and Angelique in Destin, FL-3rd child). Truly, not being able to travel to visit them and hold and love these babies has been a test, but how blessed we are that our family 'moves on' without us!! The Cook Family reunion is still going forward next week in Florida, and we won't be there!!!! All 8 families will be in attendance (except Carrie, Blake and 3 children who live in Italy and Matt, Trista and kids-new Bishop who can't 'get away') in Florida for lots of sun, surf and sand and sunburn!! We are headed to the MTC in a few minutes, so I'd better fun.

This is a BIG week as the new Mission Presidents and wives are being trained and wined and dined--it's unbelievable the thousands of hours in preparation and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to make this a unforgettable experience for them. Some said, "The Mission Presidents experience 4 days of heaven before experiencing 3 years of H _ _ _!! This is probably the toughtest and most demanding church calling of all, I'm told. Our friend who is recently released said that they were not even allowed to have an answer machine on the telephone--he was told he had to personally answer every incoming phone call (at night). "No rest for the weary and the wicked don't need it," my mother always chimed. Anyway, lots going on with all the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve and countless others walking the hallways. We are responsible to hand out translating machines in all the meetings to the M.P. who require translation, e.g. French, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese. It's wonderful to see the anticipation and excitement in their eyes. What a huge responsibility for them--can you imagine how many honorable parents who are praying for these fine men and women? We think of you often and love you dearly. Love, Lola