March 10

We have had a wonderful week. Elder & Sister Carl B. Cook who serves in the area Presidency spoke at our Stake Conference Saturday and Sunday. The theme Saturday night was on unity in the home, ward, and stake. When we are divided we don't accomplish many good things, but when we are united we can accomplish a lot of wonderful things. Sister Cook talked about being united in our marriage. She said that our marriage should be like a triangle, with the husband and wife at the bottom looking up to Christ on the top. If we always look to him for guidance and answers our marriage will be stronger. If we remember and keep those covenants that we have made at baptism and in the Temple we will also have stronger marriages. Elder Cook talked about the three T's that his wife had taught him. The three T's are Time, Talk, and Together. He said if we take the Time to Talk to one another we will be Together eternally. We need to communicate and have Companionship Inventories weekly just like the missionaries. In Preach My Gospel page 150 it tells us how to do this. A few ideas from this is share and make goals, discuss the strengths of your companion, (spouse). Discuss challenges that keeps you from having unity in your marriage. Start and conclude with prayer.
On Sunday they had recent converts come up and bear their testimonies about how the gospel had changed their lives. They also had a sister bear her testimony about her recent marriage in the Temple. The Malagasy Relief Society choir sang beautifully the song As Sisters in Zion. Elder Cook read the words to that song as part of his talk stressing the part that we all work together to build up the Kingdom. On Sunday evening all the couples had dinner with the Cooks at President & Sister Adams home. We had a delightful meal and shared some thoughts about serving missions and why we chose to serve. With over 50 new missions opening up all over the world the need for couples is greater than ever. We encourage those of you that can serve to consider putting in your papers. It has been a wonderful blessing in our lives and in the lives of our children. As we reflect on the things that we have learned on our mission we wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.
We send all of you our love and hope that you know how much we appreciate the prayers that have been offered in behalf of the missionaries. We can feel them daily. 
love Elder & Sister Cornelius