Elder Andrew D. Cook entered the MTC on January 15, 2014. I am excited to update as I know how he is doing, especially posting his mass emails.

Writing & Shipping information is found in the right hand column.

There is also a link to a few different translators to help us guess what Andrew said. :D Sometimes I get a better idea when I remove his ! from a word.

Monday, July 28, 2014

7-28-2014 Part 2

i CANT  get any of my pictures to show up on the computer. My memory card doesn't like me I guess. which is way sad, becuase I have some AMAZING shots of the terraced hills, and rice fields! oh well. next week. And I still have to send the picture of goats! instead I have this recording I made with the afore mentioned Elder Masame from Australia. His family is from Samoa, so he has that lovely laid back singing voice! enjoy!
Vincit Omnia Veritas
Elder A. Cook


*note from mom. Oh my gosh I cried. I miss Andrew's voice. He's the main singer. I couldn't figure out how to put the file in so that it would just play so it's a download. :)

7-28-214

I am not sure How much time I will have to write individual emails, but I will try my hardest!
I am in Baguio for the first time! It is actually jacket worthy temperature here! It's a two hour bus ride, so we can only spend p-day here once a transfer!
It's like America here! but everything costs the same as america! :(

Zone activity: as I said before, I hosted a talent show. It was way fun! We played a game called 'Buko warrior' (that's coconut to you) The buko was covered in cooking oil, and then we tried to bring it back to our group. there were four groups, and only one person from each group went out at a time. I was told It's about the same as rugby, and everyone was bruised the next day, so It was not the best game for missionaries (we don't want missionaries not being able to work for injury) but it was very fun! I'm told it is also played with a live piglet. I am not sure how the pig would survive...

To say the least, this transfer has been the refiner's fire.
when I got sick before, It was the worst I had ever felt, I even was delusional at one point. but after questioning reality, my faith was made so much stronger...

Elder Baquiran and I had another fight, or rather discussion, But We had companionship inventory and I think he has forgiven me. He was still mad about two weeks ago, Last Thursday I wrote him a note apologizing, hoping it would help. 
Yesterday it kind of blew up again, but that is when we had the discussion. I want so bad for this companionship to work out. I really think I can learn a lot from Elder Baquiran.

I was feeling kind of down after the discussion, so Elder Masame and I had a talk. He's Australian, and has a very lovely accent. He certainly has the spiritual gift of wisdom. He told me to stop what I was thinking, because it was certainly Satan trying to get me down, and take a look around. What splendid advice! here's what I saw.

The world is a lot scarier than I thought.
I am pretty much living alone right now, as in I am living with strangers half way around the world from everyone who cares about me (But I still have the Holy Ghost of course!)
And as Elder Scott (I think) said, "When you are alone, you see who you truly are!"

I am presented with a scarey situation, and now I can see how I will make choices. I can find out who I truly am! 
The Lord trusts me enough to be a shepherd for his lost sheep.
He trusts me enough to be born into the only true church!
He places trials in my path so I can grow stronger (I don't recognize myself anymore!) and he places helpers in my path so I can succeed in life (for example Elder Masame last night)
AND he places ME here for some reason or another, So I can grow, AND help others to grow! 
I know that I am weak, but the Lord is strong, and He lends me his strength, so I can pass this test, and become like him.

Alma 18:34-35
 34 Ammon said unto him: am manand man in the beginninwas created after the image of God, and am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to knowledge of that which is just and true;
 35 And portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which givetme
​ ​
knowledgeand also power according to my faith and desires which
 ​ ​
are in God.
​So that's what happened this week!​

Vincit Omnia Veritas
Elder A. Cook

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

7-21-214

We are at a different shop today, so I hope the scans turn out well (they cost a us dollar each and they are free in my normal shop!)

A short note about the zone activity. I was a host for a tallent show, and my companion was a judge. he played the Simon Cowell type. it is quite hillarious! I will send a video later IF I can :D
 In my letter I promised pictures. but I brought the wrong memory card! next week na lang!
Vincit Omnia Veritas
Elder A. Cook


Monday, July 14, 2014

7-14-2014 letter



7-14-2014 pics

Andrew sent these. I hope you enjoy!

Last weeks email said they have unicorns. I guess this is what he meant. :)

He didn't say who this is. I wonder if it's his companion.



Monday, July 7, 2014

7-7-2014Cl

Please note, that the person scanning switched the pages, so the first page is the one that says "Finally!" :D love you all!
Vincit Omnia Veritas
Elder A. Cook

(click on the image to make it larger)