Emails from Aug 24 and 31

Note from Mom: I was super busy with the start of school so I didn't get this posted. I'm sorry for the delay.

Email from Aug 24

oh! I forgot to write a mass email! I am out of time, so I will share this only:

"

The future is bright, and Latter-day Saints have every reason to be optimistic 

....

 It might be well to remind ourselves that Enoch and his people established Zion in their day, also a time of great wickedness. We will do the same.

" 

I finished reading the institute guide "Doctrines of the Gospel" in just one week! this is my Favorite quote. It reminds me no matter what is going on around me , no matter how disobedient other people are, I can still increase in light and truth.

I was super stressed before, but I suddenly realized that the Lord is pleased with my effort. I am pushing as hard as I possibly can, so even if other things, out side of my circle of influence keep me from reaching my goal, those things are INSIDE of the Lord's circle of influence, and He won't let me fail. so as  long as I don't relax on my effort, I will continue to succeed with His will, even if I don't see what I am achieving. 

I know this sounds super cliche, but I honestly believe this, and I can't tell you how much comfort it brought me. and I get along better with everyone now, because I am not uptight. I realized for months now I have been complaining about companions. I feel sooooo bad. that is not charity. they are trying too. and they have a different perspective on what success is. so they might feel very successful! 

I want to work on Charity. I know the Lord will help! have a great week!

my watch broke!

He said he didn't write a mass but here it is. Silly Elder.

a lot of stress happened this week. 

But before I get to that, I want to apologize for complaining about my companions for so long. It was really prideful of me! Especially Elder Jones. He does some very disobedient things, but to be honest, He's one of the few people here who is essentially nice to me!

We had an FHE with our Investigator with a Baptisimal Date. half way through the games, He stood up and said "This is childish! I am leaving!" and it was at his house! To compound this, there was a young man there, who has severe anxiety attacks! He couldn't function well, and hasn't been able to go into work since then, having an anxiety attack every evening!

Gossip from the other missionaries has been affecting me real bad. I cried in front of a member... They tell me I am bad for sharing experiences in our zone meetings. I have essentially stopped participating. but last thursday, I only raised my hand once the whole day, and after the conference, the other Elders came up to Elder Jones and told him how bad it was that I participate. but that was nothing compared to what happened the next day!

The investigator I mentioned earlier, DIED! Here's his story: He used to be wealthy, but he sold some land to the Governer, and 3 million went "missing." Due a legal dispute, he was promised 8 million from his niece, (It was locked up by something similar to a lien) and had loaned her over a million to pay "lawyer fees." this niece was just running with the money! when his savings were running out, he began borrowing money to pay the niece, he borrowed more money to pay the loans he took, slowly he began borrowing more an more to pay the people he was borrowing from, kind of like a pyramid. Eventually he borrowed from a very dangerous source who gave him 5 days to pay back. He died on the 5th day of high blood pressure from the stress! His cousin is a member in our ward. he told us that the niece is now in prison. His baptism was supposed to be Saturday! Elder Jones has taken this VERY hard! he is unable to focus now.

I told all this to my mission president, of course, and I want to quote my last paragraph to him:

"However I am not coming to you with problems, I am telling you this to explain how I solved my problems. I have found much strength and power in the Book of Mormon. the Chapter that meant most to me this week was Ether 12. It solved all my problems at once! I learned about Faith to overcome any obstacle in my way. and I also like the scripture about the other missionaries' gossip: "Fools mock but they shall mourn!" haha Most important in any time of trouble is the presence of the Holy Ghost. He is called the comforter for a reason!  :D

We understand the plan of salvation, so we can't be too sad for brother Mariano. next week will be much better!"

I guess you might describe it as Irony, that the activity days girls mailed me a 14 day advent calendar, and the last day was Friday.

Elder Jones and I also had a conversation about disobedience, and have seen MARKED improvement. also, the more trials I have the more I learn, so I really can not be unhappy about it. 

Moses 5:11

11 And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should haveknown good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

Ecclesiastes 7:3

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Email from Aug 31 (today)

sorry my email is late! we had a service project (even though it's p-day) so I just now have the chance to write!

This week, We had a bunch of new missionaries come in! We were requested to exchange with them the day before they meet their trainer. Elder Youngerman, who was with us in the MTC but went home came back this transfer, and was with Elder Jones. I exchanged with Elder Richardson, who will be trained by Elder Heninger, MY SON! in otherwords, I met my GRANDSON! heh heh He's a good kid, but he also went to Bingham.

good or bad news: (I am not yet sure.) I was extended. only 2 of us were extended! they rest of my batch is still being released on the 16th, while Elder Brig Perkins and I are being released on: the THIRTIETH! 

In regards to missing Starwars and Christmas, the only response I can give is best quoted by mister Skywalker himself, right after his hand was cut off: "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!"

I don't know why we were extended... they say it has to do with travel blocks on the 24th-29th, but my release date wasn't in that period. also, why were only the two of us extended? I am however excited to have just that much longer to be in the Lord's service, and I have absolutely no excuse to be home sickness, as I won't have any special upcoming events to look forward to!

Rereading that last paragraph, I said to Elder Jones "My English is so gone." after which he reminded me that it should have been "My English is so wrong"

I have a copy of "History of the Church: volume six" (I think I told you we found this at a used book store) and I am now past chapter 8. Joseph Smith was an interesting politician! I thought it was cool how Porter Rockwell got out of prison in Missouri, and arrived back in Nauvoo on Christmas day!

I'd love to tell you how the work is going, but It's not. we have so few investigators. I just have such a finding in my current companionship. but that's okay for now, we have good lessons with less active members.

I memorized the circle of fifths. there's that.

Mariano death was confirmed murder, but it wasn't poison, it was blunt force to the head. eep. we'll be taking him to the temple in a year.

for our service project, we build a house. Nifty experience to put on a job application no?

well, since this is so late, I don't want to spend too much time on the email, so if you don't get a reply this week, expect one the next!

love you all! have a great week!

Mass Emails from July 27, Aug 10 and Aug 17

Note from mom:

I have been having a hard time keeping up on email in general and then I've really gotten behind. I have over 700 unread emails. Sadly, as I was cleaning Andrew's room up for my girls to move in, I neglected to read his emails. lol I guess we can't all be perfect.

His emails have confused me a little bit. They are coming as replies vs individual letters so I am not really sure what to post.

Here is July 27, what I assume was meant for the mass emails.

we had zone meeting, and the ward members gave me stress. they like to gossip, and asked me to tell the other missionaries some pretty mean things. not fun.

We went on Exchanges. apparently, the mission has redefined what Elder Bowen asked us to do. It is now no longer "testify to 30 people" but "teach 40 lessons." They specifically told us we do NOT need to testify to 30 people, if we teach 40 lessons a week. also the word 'testify', I am told, means "Hi, I am Elder Doe. this is a pass along card. It has our strange message on the website. call our number. bye!"  Although, I don't see this as testifying, it is still more than doing nothing, so I can't complain. I am told, since the 40 lesson plan happened, our mission's overall baptisms have PLUMMETED! sad, sad news. BUT I don't have to worry about what anyone else does, as long as I do what the Lord expects right?

Both my companion and I got sick the same day, with different sickness, so I guess that was a sign "stay inside today Elders" In fact, (He gave me permission to say) my companion defecated in his trousers. dalawang basis... sigh...

We had interviews with President. I love that guy so much. He doesn't usually give great personal advice, but I can tell he cares, because he says things like "Elder Cook, I really enjoy your weekly letters. I like how you never come to me with problems to solve, but you always tell me how you made your own solutions."

we made a camp fire on our roof when the power went out. don't worry, Our house is 100 % pure concrete. there was no danger of house fire. especially since we were all boyscouts... (hehe)

AND BlesmeLord who was just baptised, recieved the Aaronic priesthood. #ETTE!

And Finally, today, we went to the Ma-Cho taoist temple before emailing. our mission has 2 Taoist temples in the boundaries, which is cool, because the only other places that do are the capitol, and cebu. just picture Chinese pagoda and feng-shui gardens. Really peacefull and serine. They don't consider them selves a religious temple though... occasionally they allow the Catholics to hold mass there. There is an AMAZING view deck hike, which is on TOP of the mountain. on one side you see the Baguio mountain range, and on the other side, you see the China sea, (or San Fernando Bay) the two best places in the mission! :D I really felt zen. not quite the Spirit, but zen is nice too. 

have a great week! love you all! ingat!

August 10

This week, for my mass email, I will just send what I sent to my mission president:

Cook, Andrew David

Hello po President.
Last week, the computer gave me errors, but this week, I'm able to email you just fine. 
This week, I have really felt the power of the Atonement, and gained A LOT from my personal studies. 
The Book of Mormon always gives me hope. I can feel a sharp increase in my Light :D
I have mostly studied the Doctrine and Covenants. I have learned a lot of great verses about missionary work. and Spiritual gifts.

In the sacrament, I visualized a man being pulled by someone else into a filthy river. this is how I felt before. No matter how hard I try to fulfill my purpose, I feel like the other missionaries, (who are a little less dedicated) try to pull me down to their level. After partaking of the sacrament, and asking for help through the Atonement, the image changed. I now visualize the same two people at the river, but instead of the one trying to drag the other in, I visualize, the one outside trying to help the other out of the river. of course, the current is still strong. the water is trying to sweep both of them away, but the stronger a foundation the one has on the rock of his redeemer, no power under hell can overpower them!

This is all. thanks for all you do for us! ingat po.

Well, I did draw some nifty little pictures to describe what was in my head, but I don't have a scanner, so I will just use this instead: 

Have a great week! I love you all!  Thanks for being great!

August 17

• I have had the bestest week ever! I took a self evaluation. am I acheiving what I want to be a achieving? no. am I becoming what I want to be? yes. I am becoming more sanctified. am I doing what the Lord expects of me? I think... yes. I realized that I was setting my expectations higher than Father actually was. that is why I was getting frustrated. because the Lord would not allow his work to fail. so if I am failing, then I must not be trying to achieve what the Lord wants. HE understands that there are many factors. HE understands that my companion is not ready to teach 40 lessons. So He is not mad at me, because He knows I WOULD be doing it right under different circumstances. He knows I am putting in more effort than I am actually physically capable of!
  
  When I realized this. all the stress went away :D and then I started studying. I learned the most amazing things this week! I have really torn apart the Doctrine and Covenants. I am sure you have noticed by know the way I study. I have  been looking for the most absolute basic Truth. every time I put my eyes to a book, I study with the goal of "increasing in Light" because If I can light up a room, just by walking in, then people will HAVE to believe what I say! And when I say "the gospel makes me happy!" they will believe me because they see how happy I am!
  As I have increased in Light, I can almost see it! I feel less heavy. and the very very first thing I notice when I wake up is the Holy Ghost. it's the best good morning ever!
  what have a I learned you ask? I learned: Covenants are actually a SUB-CATAGORY! I thought covenants were the most important thing, but it actually gets even simpler! covenants are a part of "celestial law"
  what we want to achieve in this life is being worthy to return to Father, and If we want to dwell in His presence, then we need to abide Celestial Burnings, and the way to do that is be purified. if we want to be pure, we have to live celestial Law. so one law is covenants, another law is obedience. the FIRST law is obedience actually! another law is charity. another law is faith. another law is hope. there are lots of laws.
• 
  
• in addition to the Doctrines and Covenants, I have been reading the institute manual for Doctrines of the Gospel because my goal is to study super simple doctrines. here are a couple of quotes to support what I have said :D
  
  •
  
  “When Zion descends from above, Zion will also ascend from beneath, and be prepared to associate with those from above. The people will be so perfected and purified, ennobled, exalted, and dignified in their feelings and so truly humble and most worthy, virtuous and intelligent that they will be fit, when caught up, to associate with that Zion that shall come down from God out of heaven” (John Taylor, in Journal of Discourses, 10:147).
  
  •
  
  “Jesus will never receive the Zion of God unless its people are united according to celestial law, for all who go into the presence of God have to go there by this law. Enoch had to practice this law, and we shall have to do the same if we are ever accepted of God as he was. It has been promised that the New Jerusalem will be built up in our day and generation, and it will have to be done by the United Order of Zion and according to celestial law” (Wilford Woodruff, in Journal of Discourses, 17:250).
  
  •
  
  “The people of the city of Enoch, because of their integrity and faithfulness, were as pilgrims and strangers on the earth. This is due to the fact that they were living the celestial law in a telestial world, and all were of one mind, perfectly obedient to all commandments of the Lord. When Christ comes, these people will be returned to the earth again, for this is their eternal abode” (Joseph Fielding Smith,Church History and Modern Revelation, 1:195).
  
  •
• 
  “But there is another most significant use of the term by which the Church of God is called Zion, comprising, according to the Lord’s own definition, ‘the pure in heart.’ (D&C 97:21.)” (Harold B. Lee, in Conference Report, Oct. 1968, 61–62).
  
• but this is my absolute favorite quote:
• •
"the future is bright, and Latter-day Saints have every reason to be optimistic.... It might be well to remind ourselves that Enoch and his people established Zion in their day, also a time of great wickedness. We will do the same." (Doctirnes of the Gospel: student manual)

This is my favorite, because even if every other missionary in the whole world is not living worthy to have that name tag, I can still be more like Christ, and by extension, my Father in Heaven.

well, that is all! have a wonderful week! -Elder Cook

8-3-2015

 So this week, we got absolutely NOTHING done! My companion got sick, and as such, we were stuck in side for a very very long time.

     I began thinking, (#pondering) "why doesn't the Lord every transfer, put me with really really diligent missionaries so we can have a miracle effect on our area?" I was not so much complaining, as much as wondering why I can't help the people more.

      Then I came to this thought "Your calling is NOT just for your investigators."and  "If I honestly believe that everyone will have the same chance to receive the gospel, then my mission doesn't seem nearly as drastic. I have many lessons to learn myself, and there are many things I can help my companion, and district learn." 

     I was feeling a little down, until I started studying in section 84 of D&C and it really made me happy, because it helped me find out why I was down, and change :D

here are my favorite verses:

106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.

 and also:

 45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

 46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit.

7-20-2015

Well, this week, I got a phone call at 10:28 pm. I was almost asleep. "Elder Cook, will you accept the invitation to be District Leader?" "Why yes of course President." then I went to sleep.

We had members working with us for 5 out of 6 working days this week. That lead to some interesting adventures. for example: Yesterday, I helped pull in a GIANT fish net. It must have been 100 yards long. when it was all up on shore, there were 2 fish. they were about 4 inches long. I told my companion we should suggest throwing the nets on the other side of the boat, but he didn't think that was funny.

     Then on Saturday, we traveled to Tagudin, about 10 minutes away from my first area, to witness a baptism! It was from Elder Jones' last area. The services were held in a bamboo hut, and 4 people showed up. not even all the missionaries came! 

     We took the long 2 hour bus ride back to San Fernando, and I realized we forgot to stop at my favorite bakery. my only regret of my mission. I got very car sick, because the bus had no shocks to speak of! I didn't even get sick when we went to Manila, so this was strange.

     THEN later that afternoon, we attended ANOTHER baptism! BLESMELORD RAMOS! WOOT! it was really funny to see the contrast between baptisms. For one thing, the first baptism was held in a drinking water tank. the water was green. ha ha. the second baptism was the first ever time that we didn't have to remind the ward mission leader to fill up the tank! He also had the baptismal clothes ready BEFORE WE GOT THERE! 

The very last day of work, we got a fresh RM to come with us. She had a very powerful testimony. Our investigators pulled us aside after church, and told us how much they like her. Her family fed us dinner, and we taught about eternal marriage, then I shared some of the conversion stories from my mission. it was just a good Spiritual day.

I am having very fruitful personal studies now. I have made a very in-depth study of the Book of Mormon. one verse at a time. That combined with my appreciation for the Sacrament, and other Covenants, has made my week happy. The Spirit testifies of the Truth of the gospel.

It was a very good week. Oh! I learned how to make homemade veggie burgers. that will be useful when I come home! :D

Have a great week! I love you all! ingat kayo!

mas mass! haha (more from 7-13-2015)

I forgot to tell everyone about the lighthouse! we walked out to the lighthouse at the edge of our area to: 1. see it, and 2. try to teach the light house keeper. when we knocked on his door, and told him we have a message about Jesus Christ, he said "there is no Jesus Christ here. I am Catholic." It made us laugh as we walked home, (in a flash typhoon that came as we started walking) because most other Catholics I know DO believe in Christ... right?

7-13-2015 forwarded pictures

Note from mom: Andrew forwarded a couple of activity pictures that had been forwarded to him. You can play where's Andrew or see that he is a little to the right of the middle standing up except in the bottom pic in which there is only a forehead. :)

From: David Hennessey

Hello San Fernando Zone!

Here are the pictures from the Zone Activity in June at Kahuna Beach.

Have a great P-day!

7-13-2015

Note from mom: Sorry for not posting this last week. I went out of town that day and am just getting back to things.

well, as this week went, We have seen much improvement in the companionship. We went from 2-4 appointments a day, to 6-8 which is a reflection of how much time we spend fishing . :)

there is this WAY cool book-boat docked in San Fernando. they are just a floating book store. and they are a Born Again group, so almost every book is bible related. they also do service projects and stuff to help the community. they also offer lunch, so we went and bought lunch. over priced.

we have had more member work than usual. that is all that happened really. transfers are this week so we'll see who the new guy in the house is.

We were supposed to have a baptism last Saturday, but because of the MASSIVE typhoon, that was delayed till THIS Saturday!

Yesterday, his father recieved the Aaronic priesthood, so that he may baptise his son, but Bless has already passed the interview, so it is a sure thing! (knock on kahoy)

I will tell his whole story. (though I have shared much of this before)

My very first week, I asked Elder Anota to take me to the active members. He only knew where the relief society president lived. so we arrived, and I told her "we will be returning on Thursday to teach you about the Atonment. please have a new friend here waiting for us. dinner is not necessary."

then we left. I tried this with a few other families when I met them at church, but all of them said "I am happy to feed you, but I have no one to introduce to you" oh well...

when we returned Thursday, sister Gaa, (the R.S.P.) introduced us to Romel Ramos. "This is my brother in law. He stopped going to church when he was twelve and is now born again. He has two sons who are not baptized. His wife left him while he worked abroad in Saudi, and she found a new boyfriend, so he moved back in with us until he goes back to Saudi next month. both of his children will be living with us!"

After teaching them the first lesson, BlessmeLord (his son) wanted to be baptized! (Christend did as well, but he is only 7) Brother Ramos and his children came to church that week and told us "For the first time religion makes sense. I never understood when I was a child, but I know that this is true now!" and they have not missed a week since, EVEN IN THE TYPHOON! (only about 20 people showed up!)

After learning about eternal families, brother Romel told us, "It is important for me to stay for my family, and raise them to the Lord. I will NOT be going abroad next month, and I will find a job here." I wish I could describe how much of a sacrifice this is! Imagine working for an oil company, and then multiplying your income by 45 (due to the conversion rate) and then giving that up to work work at... no where! He still hasn't found a job yet! (Fortunately the Gaa family is supporting them until he finds something!)

We invited Romel to prepare to receive the Priesthood, and baptize his own son. the only problem was coffee. It took him a few weeks to give it up, but President himself came and suggested a better way to invite for commitment, and... as I mentioned earlier, HE RECEIVED, YO!

I guess that His wife may have dumped her other boyfriend, because I just met her last week. It turns out that they actually met in church, back when he was a child, so she is a less active member as well! She lives in Manila, but if she comes to San Fernando to stay, we will get her active, and they will be sealed together forever!

I am just so happy, because I have seen so much change in their lives :D

I would like to tell you about Nora Porawan as well. She began investigation with her daughter Precious. When Elder Anota and I first met them, he told me he felt like he already knew them. They "looked familiar". HOWEVER when Finished the Restoration lessons, and told us they do not want to continue investigation. we visited again last Saturday with Elder Jones. Precious is A LOT more open then her mother is. As I left, I had a happy feeling that we planted seeds, which would sprout for other missionaries. (probably after Precious moved out from her mother's house) Then, as we were walking out, Precious said "Hey, I have a friend from Tagudin. He is a Mormon. Actually, he is my BEST friend." It turns out it is Elmer, the member who called president and got Elder Jones in trouble in the first place, so that he was emergency transferred here! Elmer also moved to San Fernando, and I think (despite Elder Jones' history) He will open a door for Precious! Isn't it crazy how people are connected?

That's all I have today, other than I want to bare my testimony of the Sacrament. before my mission, or even honestly before last month, I felt the Spirit very powerfully SOMETIMES at church, just like any normal day (as in it's always there but just not strong). but now I feel it EVERY TIME, conistently for 3 or 4 weeks. It's just like the temple. I can not wait for church every week.

I also have begun a thorough study of the Book of Mormon. I am taking it one verse at a time, until I feel sufficiently involved with the verse, and I move on to the next. most days I only read one chapter in my allotted time of a half hour.  I get my reading time by going to bed a half hour early, and waking up a half hour early (So we have changed the schedule from '10:30 to 6:30' to '10:00 to 6:00') I study for a half hour before I get ready. then we have normal studies starting at 8. I feel awesome. I got about ten times happier. It might just be that the skies are more blues (all the rain storms stopped for a day) or maybe I just noticed the sky more :D

The gospel is really my strength.

have a great week, I love you all! If I don't get to emailing you, it's because I spent a long time writing this, and I have 27 messages still in my inbox! love you all! ingat!