4-21-2014

Dear family. This week was "Holy week". You see, here in the Philippines, or at least my area, they don't really celebrate Easter, they celebrate Holy week, which includes Easter Sunday. The dominant church in the area in Catholicism, which is less concerned with the resurrection of Christ, as it is concerned with the death of Christ. In fact, the big day of Holy Week is Good Friday, which is the alleged death of Christ, three days before Easter Sunday. No one did anything on Sunday, and Saturday is the party day, when everyone makes up for the day before, when they are not allowed to have any fun whatsoever. surprisingly we got more lessons on Saturday than a normal day, because it was too hot to go to the beach, which is the general practice. Our ward party wason Friday, just because someone was bad at planning, and all the resorts were closed, because they are run by Catholics. We invited a less active member to the ward party and he said "I'm not catholic, but out of respect for my friends, I'm not doing anything Friday, that was really insensitive of your planner" We were really confused because my companion is also LDS, and didn't know anything about Holy Week either.

This week, we taught less actives most of the time. One time there was a near accident outside the house, and both involved parties were drunk. It was a three family lesson, so there were ang daming children. so we closed the windows, and just taught a second lesson to the kids, while the adults got everything straitened out. we also had all the missionaries from the ward over, because they heard a rumor that the family was planning on feeding us, and the missionaries invited themselves. which meant there was a total of six missionaries, and the ward mission leader. 

This week we found "Beyblades", (or plastic battling tops for those of you who are a little older) in a store for 25 pisos each, or roughly 55 cents us. so my companion and I both bought one for p-day. it turns out, that we both got HALF of one, and they were opposite halves, so we had one together. Fortunately, the  shop is LDS run, so they let us return them. Instead, I got a Philippino wooden top, for half the price.

My room mates are all foreigners, and I have had 2 white companions in a row, which is unheard of! 

I feel like I have known Elder Karch, my companion, since before I was born. We were instant friends, and we have the most HILARIOUS conversations as we walk to appointments 2 kilos away. (public transit is too expensive)

Speaking of expenses, we have been in a famine. we only had half our money for a whole month, however, I learned how really good about budgeting before my mission, and things like souvenirs are supposed to be bought with money from home, so it was not much skin off my ilong. I actually still have money left over. AND as a result of the famine, we have and extra 500 pisos every month from now on. (however, we used to be payed every two weeks, now its once a month)

I wish I had some amazing spiritual experience to talk about, but our week has been rather uneventful, other than what I have already told you about. Well, actually, It turns out my last companion, trained me wrong on some of the rules. I have learned how it is supposed to be done, with reference to the mandate from President, which I was shown, and have started doing it right, so it's not my sin! Ha ha.

Also we found record of a couple investigators Elder Robison never took me to, and they are golden investigators. Elder Robison said he dropped them, because he thought they only had a crush on him, but they told us what happened when they prayed about the Book of Mormon, and Elder Karch whispered to me "what was Elder Robsion smoking? These investigators NEED to be baptized." Apparently, It was the middle of a drought, It hadn't rained in six months, and sister said "If this book is true, it will start raining now." and it started raining. she said "that could just be a fluke, if this book is true, it will start raining again!" and it started raining again! I actually remember the day it rained twice, because everyone was super excited for the rain. I guess that means she prayed about the book, after he stopped coming to her, so maybe its good we didn't visit her before now :D

well that is my week. and I'm ten minutes over my time, so INGAT! Mahal ko kayo lahat! magkaroon masarap tulog! ingat!

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook

4-13-2014 letter

I am majo conte oras.

but I want to share how powerfull conference was for me.

I had yellow watermellon?! whats up with that. It is crossed with manga and tastes WAY BETTER!

So back to what's at hand.

I got a new companion, named Elder Karch. He is Canadian. picture attached, It's only been 2 days so I'll tell you more when I know him better :D

so with the Spirit being the strongest at conference, came the most resistance I have ever felt on my mission. I feel as though I stared that great dragon in the face. But, I also feel I won. I don't wish to harrow you with detail, because life is truly beautiful, but know that I am not implying I was ever in danger, I just heard some truly awful things. When I was grieved to the point of near sickness, I read in the Book of Mormon. I realized Nephi has seen our day, And I understood his believe that his trials are above all others, because of the destruction of his people. The words of the Lord are the best comfort, and that could be the Book of Mormon, Or conference, Which I know has influenced me more than ever before, because of what I have learned on my mission. 

Another important topic, Is the face that April priesthood conference marks the 1 year anniversary of knowing all three halves of my family. (don't ask how I can be 150% I just am) I am so greatful for the experience of my life, so that I could grow and become what I am. The influence of so many people has blessed me! I LOVE YOU ALL! Everybody, study this conference, The time for preparation grows ever shorter, just as my P day is only 5 hours XD and like any 4 minutes, what you do in the next, will change all of eternity!  I've got to do my mission right. I love you all! INGAT!

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook

4-7-2014 letter

so, really nothing exciting happened this week.

I get a new companion on Thursday. but that is next week.

I'm glad no one ruined conference surprises for me :D I won't see it til: you guessed it! NEXT WEEK

The only eventful thing that has happened, Is that I lost my two amazing investigators. They are not interested anymore. For showing me how powerful the spirit can be, It is sad that they didn't understand well enough to change. 

There was a couple 'minor' events. They opened a new store called save more in Candon, the local large city. The next closest save more is Baguio, which is actually the summer capitol of the Philippines. (4 hours away.) save more is like a cross between Ikea and walmart, and clean. Almost terrifyingly clean. It's the only place to get American products, and I have been affirmed I will be here for another six weeks, so that will be cool. I got Doritos today, man, relatively the same price as home, but three times the price of any other chips!   I'm excited to try calamancy soda. It was pretty cheap, and calamancy is so good! I tried 3 new fruits this week. Macopa (kind of like mini apples but not really. I cant explain taste!), Calamancy (like mini limes, only way more intense. and a little bit sweeter) and guava, which I have had the juice of before, but trust me the fruit is way better than the juice. and fresh!

We say a lwalwa laban yesterday (in Ilkano). Also called, Laban ng gagumba. or  SPIDER FIGHT! Sorry, that's the best picture I have. I got a short video though. cant send it. they keep them in match boxes, and they dont bite people.  when you hold them, they roll up into what looks like a small rock, and they are stored in match boxes! then when they put them on a stick, it's to the death! they don't need to be fed because they eat the other spider. It's kind of violent, but it is a nifty trick.

The other game they play is with pogs. unlike american style, they just hold them in the palm of their hand, and kind of "high five" their opponent. if yours is right side up, then you win! they also use small cards.

 The last game is bato bato pick, or rock rock choose. also known as rock paper scissors! haha

OH! I finally remembered something amazing! Look up two talks. "The fourth missionary" by Lawrence Corbridge* and "why the restoration happened when it did" by Hyrum smith.** That last one may be really difficult to find. But it is well worth the effort. I will put the cliff notes version in my email next week :D It was super impactfull. I'm also reading Jesus the Christ in my studies. It is phenominal! I want to be just like Jesus! All the Philippino missionaries look at me strange when they see me reading it. "I don't know why you read that. It makes no sense." Ha ha we tell them it's "deep english" because they use the term "deep Tagolog" to describe the bible.

I want to tell you what I learned, but I believe it will be more impactful if you go after it on your own. I just want you to know, you are always changing. Never think you are standing still. You are either going up or down, and the smart person makes sure they are improving. Because it's alot easier than going down. You might say that the opposite is true. It's good to go down, and bad to climb the latter, and it's a whole lot easier to fall. Maybe "The enemy's gate is down" will help out you nerd reading this.

Now finally, I only got one baptism. The girl did NOT get baptised, But Nino did. That's his name. Saturnino Alnajes (pronounced ninyo alanahes)

Anyway, I'm out of time, but I love you all. There is Always a purpose for everything!

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook

*Link from mom: Lawrence Corbridge "The Fourth Missionary" pdf
**Link from mom (I'm not sure if this is what he is referring to but here you go.): Hyrum W. Smith "The Restoration of the Church, Why Now?"

3-31-2014 letter

Somehow, for once, I actually replied to everyone!

So I am running out of time, so here are the most important points.

I got a free strait edge razor, from the barbar shop where I cut my hair.

I NOW SHAVE LIKE A MAN! (note: I spelled barber wrong on purpose, and those it matters to know why.)

I also got a duyan, (or hammock, literally means net) for really cheap, (I'm getting good at bargaining) and I will now get the best sleep ever. they are really common here. every house has one, but they don't look like they do in the states. I'll try and send a picture some day

Probably most important this week, I started my study of my 3rd language yesterday! Tagolog, English, and ILKANO! 

anyone over 50 here would rather speak English than Tagolog  because they speak Ilkano in this mission. 1 out of 3 people cant speak Tagolog, but fortunately we have members to help teach. It's frustrating to me to not be able to share, so I am starting to learn, and I hope to be at least proficient, If not fluent, soon.

The water fall is sooooo gorgeous! It is in our area, and we have started teaching near it, even though we can only go to the actual fall on p-day. we met a man, who has been formerly taught by missionaries, and is now being prepared to learn the rest, as he said "I didn't learn enough about your church to join, but I know that no church is true, so I have no religion, but I have Jesus. I'm not catholic anymore." they taught the apostasy well, but apparently not the restoration. They must have been pulled out too soon unfortunately

The water fall is layed out the same as Kiawanis park in Pleasant Grove. It was good for me to be in nature, in a way that showed me God love me. Kiawanis park, is my own personal "holy place" so when It looked almost exactly the same, I nearly had a heart attack!

Sunday was not horrible. I usually hate Sunday, but this week, we told the bishop we needed to actually work, so we didn't wait four five hours for the zone meeting like we usually do, and It was a spiritual hardworking day!

Finally and most important, last night I was a little sick. Nothing terrible! don't panic. It's just cold season here. I slept for a while before dinner, and after planning. When I was half way between asleep and awake, I started thinking about goal setting, and how I wish we had key indicators and daily planning at Radioshack, then I realized I could make key indicators for my personal goals, and It just clicked that is how I can learn and progress just as  well when I get home, as I do here. and now I have started. I am super excited :D

well anyway, I am 4 minutes over so ingat! I love you!

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook

March 24, 2014 letter

This week has been incredibly... interesting. 

I'll start with something a bit light hearted (Brother Bytheway once said "being light minded is bad. never make fun of spiritual things. being light hearted is good. always be happy and make jokes" I think he also quoted a prophet, but I don't have the book on me"); 

Pens are so much better quality here! There are these super fine point pilots (they make the g2) and they are the missionary staple here! 

I found out the letter I got from my mission president was actually not from President Balledos. They are just recycled from the last mission president who is now in urdanetta. It wouldn't be a big deal, but The rules are different from the letter, for example, crocks are not really allowed, (but we do wear rubber shoes) and he really didn't care if we listened to music or played video games before the mission. It was still good for me to read the Book of Mormon in 2 months, and I recommend everyone do it as quickly as possible. In fact, Elder Bednar, recommends buying a new cheap paperback, reading it quickly, with one question in mind. and putting it on the book shelf. By the time you are his age, you should have 400. 

I bought a smaller bag, even though I love mine. It ripped in a week. I am back to my giant bag, and I still love it. I think I will just ignore the other missionaries, and keep loving it :D 

I ate my last protein bar from Grandma yesterday. I wish I had suit case to bring all of them, but I left half in the MTC. It's too bad, they were very comforting. I just make american food on my own sometimes, and we all feel a little less stressed. 

The Permetherine was a waste of money.  It is not really available here unless  we have it mailed from home, or we get tiny bottles for killing bugs when we see them. we also don't have a filtered sink. We just have a bottle with a built in filter that lasts six months. They are wonderful, and you can buy them for food storage on the church website, from the online distribution center. That's two more things that are different from the president's letter then what we actually do. 

I discovered in section 89, that using alcohol for washing is recommended. Everyone carries hand sanitizer here, but it is very different from the stuff in the states. It is so much better. It's a spray, and smells really good! 

I am out of tabs for marking my scriptures. They were color coded for preach my gospel and I only need 4 more :C maybe I'll find them in an office supply store here. 

On sundays they feed us lunch before ward council. Last week I told them I like fish better than chicken when they kept trying to tell me only Filipinos could eat fish, until one of the native missionaries showed me how to get the bones out, and told them to leave me alone. This week they brought me in a fish, just for me and teased me for several hours about not liking chicken (which is of course not what I meant, I just like fish MORE) Oh well. R

Sunday was actually pretty annoying because the bishop surprised us with HALF DAY MISSION! which was not on the schedule. So, we had to wait for several hours at the church, for everything to get organized. then we had time to go to 2 appointments, and our golden investigator's dad was drunk. She didn't know it though, and so that lesson was screwed up. We had to go BACK to the church to close the half day mission, which is actually a really good idea. The members in the ward all come and teach the less active members, with the missionaries. The only problem is, that they taught everyone we had scheduled for without us, so we had to hours to do nothing but find. The problem is, Filipinos go to bed at six, or get drunk. so we literally did nothing for 2 hours. we tried hard, but we got nothing done. S

With all the frustration this week, something really really amazing came out of it. I had a new investigator. We both felt like we should go talk to this gentleman. We just teach him the first lesson right then and there. He would not pray, and I did not get a chance to ask him why. I think I mentioned this in my last email. It was the most spiritual lesson of my mission, up until that point. It set the new standard. But here's the thing, Elder Gemmel, the New Zealander in our apartment was being really hard on himself. He's worried he will not be able to resist temptations when he gets home. I shared a scripture from D and C 133: 30 and 31.

30 ... the children of Ephraim, my servants.

 31 And the boundaries of the everlasting ^ahills shall tremble at their presence.

Well the thing is, this scripture was actually for me. When we taught the 2nd lesson to brother Freddy, again, he wouldn't pray at the end, again. Suddenly the scripture echoed in my mind, as it were the voice of someone else. I replied, what would you have me do? "Jordan" one word came to mind, and I immediately remembered he said his wife was abroad in Jordan. I began speaking, about how he wants to hear his wife, and he loves to hear the sound of her voice, and Our Father is the same way, but he doesn't have a phone. Prayer is a conversation, and He wants to hear from him. As I spoke, it was my voice, and I knew I was saying the words, But it sounded like it came from somewhere else. I felt like the world was shaking. He was speechless for at least a minute. Then he replied "what are the steps to prayer again?" I was filled with the most overwhelming joy I have had in my life. I knew the Lord was sharing his joy with me for being a faithful servant. As soon as we left, my companion said "That was INCREDDIBLE!"

I get shaky just remembering it. Again, We set a new bar for our lessons. We strive for the spirit to be like that in every lesson.

Dear Josie, I erased the Code. I'll have to write it again later for you. 

Whelp, anyway I'm on my way to a waterfall, I'll let you know how it goes :D

The picture is Nino. He's going to be my first baptism. His mom is a member.

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook

First Companion

His letter just contained a picture. This is Elder Robison. In a previous letter Elder Cook shared that his companion is 6'4" and like purple and Wendy's. I don't remember what else was said. :)

3-17-2014 Letter

(sorry I had a crazy week and forgot to post this.)

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

My companion showed me a cool trick. We take pictures of emails, and then read them over the course of the week, unless we know we need to reply right away. This way we can save time, and have joy throughout the week :D 

For those of you who asked, or want to know, I can and have received dear elder in the field, however I believe it costs to you. I may be wrong about that. Let me know!

We have a golden family, and I met them my first time tracting. We asked them to pray about the Book of Mormon, and the brother said that he hasn't wanted to smoke or drink since then, and we haven't taught the word of wisdom yet! The sister said she is always nervous applying for jobs, but she felt like praying, and said she was not scared at all! we hadn't expected this kind of response, but they want us to visit, and they want to come to church each week! It's so beautiful!

We keep having people walk up to us and say "OY ELDERS!" (we walk over) "Kamusta brother!" "I've heard about Mormons, and I want you to teach me" 

It has happened three or four times now, and my companion said it had not happened any other time on his mission! (I think his previous companions were a little disobedient) We just need faith!

My favorite time is when a man was sitting on the side of the road, and we started the conversation. He got a big ol' smile. "Are you waiting for a trike brother?" "No... I just felt a strange urge to come sit out here. I keep seeing you walk by from my window, and I've always wanted to get to know you and I don't know why." or the time when a man said "I have no religion because they are all business and God hasn't told me which one is right yet, but my coworker in America was such a good person!" 

On a less spiritual note, we are in a famine. I only get half as much money for this month, but in return next month I get an extra five hundred pisos or so.

Back to the spiritual. We have taught two lessons about faith this week. Both times the less active we taught ended up crying at the end. The first was our first visit with the brother. It was the first time he came back to church in 5 months. I cant figure out why he ever left, because he worked for the church until he retired, and we caught him studying the scriptures, which was cool because he didn't know we were coming, he thought it was another day.

The second was a family, for the last few lessons, the 17 year old has been really grouchy. She wouldn't study the Book of Mormon on her own. after the dinner appointment we caught her reading on her own, gluing in an insert, and marking a ton. She also cried, and was back to her bubbly self, which was so refreshing. Also, her sister came for the first time in months as well!

We're teaching the scripture again today after 6. I hope we get similar results.

My companion is Elder Robison. No N. He is 6' 4". He's from Provo, his favorite color is blue, his favorite food is anything from Wendy's, and after his mission, he wants to "live the country life" which basically means, getting a big truck, cowboy hat, boots, "big ol' belt buckle" and driving up on a hill alone, blasting country, and sitting on his hood, and then napping for a couple hours. He says he thinks it's a perfect date, if you bring a picnic. He also has a pair of shorts with tiny sharks embossed on them.

We had a conference with Elder Arden of the first quorum of the 70. He explained what a 70 is, and what they do, and now it makes so much sense! (but it would take a whole email to explain, so you'll have to figure it out on your own) He also gave a ton of good advice, and mostly answered questions. He's a great teacher. 

TAYLOR! HE SAYS HI TO YOUR DAD! THEY WERE IN THE NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL TOGETHER!

His advice changed one of the Elders in my apartment over night. He was super worried about going back to the way he was before his mission, because of his friends, which is to say, not good. President Arden suggested "Marry someone who inspires you" and Elder Gemmel realized, he just needs to marry quickly!

He gave a lot more advice for missionaries, but again, that would take a whole email, because the conference was an entire day!

Today was zone activity day! the beach is sobrang maganda! 

Finally, I made a list of everything unique about the philippines, and I will be making a field journal. I found this gorgeous leather bound book, that ties closed with a leather strap. I will be putting it in there. Maybe I have a picture. If so, I will put it in the email.

also, 2 nephi 9:17

and Alma 42:21

the Lord always makes sure you know the Law. There are never any phantom laws. If he wants you to do something, he tells you. :D

Vincit Omnia Veritas

Elder A. Cook