Weekly Letter July 18th, 2012

Hey Guys!

     Well, another week passes by and I start my second to last transfer in the Buenos Aires West Mission, unfortunately. It makes me sad that I can actually see the end of the road. But, I`ve just gotta work even harder so I can stay focused. Its so great to hear from you guys every week and I look forward to talking about my experiences with you in person. But, anyway...on with the letter.

     Dad, I`m glad you`re okay after the incident with the car. And Richard too. Send him my greetings by the way. Dad, I have a feeling that the company will call you this week. Somethings gotta give sometime. But, just have faith and something will come through.

     Mom, sorry about the hospital job, I hope something else will come through. I`m sure it will. Thanks for the picture of the argentine license plate. Thats how they look down here. I wonder how it got up there though...

     Please please please send my love to Ty. I miss that guy and tell him that I look forward to seeing him.

     Today is transfers and my companion is leaving. I`m going to miss him a lot. He was a great companion and we had fun together. But, I am also excited for a new companion and he will probably be my last companion on the mission. Scary right? Anyway, so thats happening.

     Last thursday, I went to the dentist and they told me that I had an infection in my molar number 7. I guess when I got that little cavity filled before my mission, the dentist (won`t say who) didn`t clean out all the infection, so it continued down to my root. So, on thursday, I went to the dentist and they drilled out almost the entire inside of my molar and this coming thursday, they`re going to recontruct what they took out. They put like a gallon of novacain in my face because I had no feeling on the right side of my face until I went to bed that night. I got a whole new understanding of Bill Cosby Himself after that day. I did see and smell smoke, my face did slide off of my skull, I spilled water all down the front of me, and I did have a line of spit from my mouth to the sink that the doctor did call (no joke) an "arco iris" or rainbow. The dentist said that there was nothing I could have done to prevent that, given that it was below the filling and my toothbrush doesn`t reach there. I don`t have any other cavity by the way. So, that was the highlight of my week. Getting my molar destroyed in a third world country. Haha...good story for my grandkids.

     Its interesting whats happening with some of the modern day youth in the church. People who we think are the chosen somehow find their way off the path and fall. When we read Lehi`s dream in 1 Nephi 8, we find that the black mist fall upon everybody, but its our decision to hold fast to the rod of iron and continue on to the tree of life, which is the love of God. But, we also find that some of those who partook of the fruit still fell and yielded themselves to the tireless taunts of those who had already fallen into darkness. I hope that some of these youth, not going to name names, will find there way back to the tree of life and partake of the fruit thereof, that is, the love of God throught the miracle of forgiveness. God always gives us the opportunity to come back and partake of the fruit. They`ll have that opportunity someday, and we can only hope that they take it.

     Well, I have to go to the transfer meeting so I will write you all on Monday. I love you and hope to see you soon.

Chau!

Élder Garrett Brighton Rook

 Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Oeste

        "La mejor misión de todo el mundo..."

July 13, 2012

We received an email from a gentleman in Garrett's mission, and here is what it said.

HI GARRET'S MOTHER!!!
I'm Gonzalo Viola, A friend of elder rook from buenos aires, he has just left home after having tea with his companion. I've been a member of the church for two years and I really enjoy Elder Rook's company. He's very kind and he helps me with my English. I listen to his CD quite often as well, he's quite talente. I took some pictures of us and wanted to share them with you,maybe you can post them in his Facebook! In the pictures you'll see Garret, his companion Elder Silva and Me (Gonzalo Viola).
Hope you post them and let me know if you like them! Oh, there's a picture of a drawing he made specially for you,it says "Greetings from Argentina" (Saludos de Argentina)!
 
Sorry if I made some mistakes in your language! My english is good but not perfect!

July 9, 2012

Hola!

     Well, sounds to me that you guys had a pretty good week. Not much to write here as things are pretty slow in the winter time in Argentina. Today is the 9th of July which is Independence Day here in Argentina. So, everything`s closed and the streets are empty. On holidays, the argentine people takes advantage of just drinking and not working. So, there`s not much of parties on the city level. But, its pretty chill anyway. 

     I`ll be doing a fast for you guys on Wednesday since Dad has his interview that day. And I also have a request for you. Be praying for me because on Thursday, I have a dentist appointment because I have been having some pain in my two back molars and I hope its just because they`re sensitive and that they have deep pits. I doubt I have a cavitiy since I take fairly good care of my teeth. But, we`ll see. It hurts whenever I eat or drink something really hot or really cold. The change in temperature from hot to cold bothers them a little bit. 

     Man, everyone`s getting married! Crazy that Zaks getting married already. Send him my love and congratulations. 

     Mike Murphy did not write me back yet, but he probably will soon. He`s probably a little busy, but I`ll probably hear from him in a few days if not a week. 

     Remember next week, I won`t write until Wednesday because thats the end of transfer. Just thought I`d let you know. 

     My birthday was really good. The elders in my house got back from working about a half hour early and they had a cake waiting for me when we got back. They`re awesome. I`ll send pictures next week, since I forgot my camera cable today. I also had an asado with a family in our ward. I`ll have them give me pictures so I can send them to you guys. 

     The weather is finally getting cooler out. Winter is definitly coming and I`m loving it. But, its getting harder to work because now everybody`s inside and not answering doors. But, we still keep working and we are finding people to teach slowly but surely. 

     The ward is good, they help us a lot and are willing to help us with the missionary work that we`re doing here. We leave with members and they help us teach a lot. 

     Well, there is really nothing else to write so I love you guys and I pray everyday that God will watch over you always. Good luck on Wednesday and you`ll be getting my letter next wednesday.

Chau! 

July 2nd, 2012

Hey Guys!

     Well, I don`t have much time to write today because we have a district activity here in about a half an hour. I`m doing fine here. Just plugging along and working hard. I`m not trunky, I promise. My week was somewhat boring given that my companion and I were in bed for two days with horrible colds and headaches. The weather is changing and my body doesn`t like it very much. I have experienced the most humid conditions of my entire life here in these past two weeks. It is so humid that its no longer cold outside and you can´t help but sweat after walkign and walking. You come home at night and your bed and pillow are wet but you have to sleep anyway. Its terrible. But today is the first day in two weeks where its not too humid. Thank goodness that cold is coming back. 

     Gavin, your photos were bomb. The Time Traveler one was sweet. Maybe you could redo the photo now with all the clocks with different times on them. That would be way sweet too. But, awesome job. I could never get Photoshop down really well when I was in Blair`s class. But it was a lot of fun. You are totally designing my new CD cover bro. I`ll even pay you. Haha

     Paige, I`m glad you`re liking your job and I hope it goes well for you. Brother Polluck is a good man and I would love to work for him too. Work hard, 110 percent of your effort 110 percent of the time. 

     I will be praying really hard for you guys this week as Dad goes into interviews. Something has got to come through eventually. Remember that God is never ignorant of any of his children. Mathew 10 talks about that a bird never falls to the ground without the Father knowing. Keep praying, keep looking and know that you will always be guided in all things. 

     The photo I sent is when we got caught in rainstorm without any rain coat. I got soaked to the bone. Sorry for the sort letter but I`ll make it up to you next week. Well, off to eat some American style Fried Chicken made by yours truly with the District. Love you guys and we`ll talk to you later! 

Élder Garrett Brighton Rook

 Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Oeste

        "La mejor misión de todo el mundo..."

June 18, 2012

Hola, 

     Well, another day another dollar in Argentina. The time is flying by faster and faster everyday. I wake up in the morning and then, all of a sudden, I`m back in bed at night. Crazy. Anyway, not to try to break the surprise, but I am really curious as to which photo you will be using for my missionary plaque. Just curious. I`ll think of my favorite scripture this week. There are just so many! But, on Monday, you`ll have it for sure. I promise.

     Thanks for all the letters I got this week. I think a congratulations is in order. PAIGE CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! You have a job! Thats awesome! I`m happy now. Work your butt off and be the best employee there. You don`t want to let Bishop Polluck down. You`ll be awesome. 

     I really miss going to the temple. I haven`t been in more than a year and a half! I am so excited to go through the Buenos Aires Temple before I head out. It gets re-dedicated on the 9th of september. We found out that the missionaries will be attending the cultural event and we`ll be having a multi-mission meeting afterwards with Elders Eyring, Ballard, and Cristofferson. Look up the temply dedication on LDS.org. So, that will be pretty amazing. I`m excited, but now as I look forward to that, my time is going to go by faster here, and that stinks. 

     We`re a really cool family right? We have Thurgoods, Grassles...what more can you ask for? 

     Anyway, my week was pretty boring to tell you the truth. I went to capital today and talked with about 10 missionaries from the Buenos Aires North mission. It was nice to see other missionaries. I talked to a sister missionary who knew a sister in my zone in the MTC who served in the north mission, pretty cool. I enjoy living in an apartment with four elders. Its a lot of fun. But, my companion is the only non-american out of the four. We try to include him in everything, but I think he`s a little anti-social .We speak spanish in front of him and everything, but nothing. Hopefully, I can raise his ànimo a little bit. 

     We have good investigators but we`re really struggling with them getting to church. They always tell us that, yeah we`ll go to church, but then we show up at their house to take them and they either don`t answer, we hear people inside, or they come up with excuses. Is it that hard to dedicate three measly hours of your most un-eventful life to do something worthwhile? Maybe its too much to ask. But, we keep swimming. 

     My companion is really cool. He`s 24 and is a convert of 2 years. All of my companions are converts. Anyway, he loves to work and has a great testimony. He has a really hard time with the language, since he`s from Brazil, so he speaks Portugese. But, he`s learning and I`m learning a little portugese at the same time. So, I`ll be able to talk to Brother De Souza when I get home. 

     Anyway, thats pretty much it for my week. I hope that you are all okay and in high spirits and that you`re not too trunky for me, because I`m not. Haha I love you guys and I look forward to seeing you soon.   

Chau! 

Élder Garrett Brighton Rook

 Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Oeste

        "La mejor misión de todo el mundo..."

 

June 11, 2012

Hey Guys!

     Well, writing after quite an exhausting week. We had transfers this week and I am tired. But, today`s P-Day and I am looking forward to a rest.

     Thanks again for writing me, I always look forward to your letters. I got sent to an area called Merlo. My ward is called Merlo 2. Its about 10 minutes by train to my first area in Moreno. So, I`m back in Buenos Aires. Its really weird for me to be here after seven months out in the middle of nowhere. But, its okay because everything is cheaper here. So, that makes me happy. Its not such a dangerous area like my first or second area, but still a little sketchy. The people are great and the ward is awesome! There were seventy people in church on Sunday! I haven`t seen that many people in church my entire mission! Its a good strong ward and I look forward to working with them. My companion`s name is Marivelton Silva, and he`s from Brazil. He is still having a really hard time with his Spanish, since he speaks Portugese, but he`s a really cool guy. He`s been in the mission for five months now. I am living in a house with another companionship who is in the Merlo First Ward. They`re way cool missionaries, so it makes the experience fun.  

     Side note. You remember my convert Estiven who I always taked about all the time about a year and a half ago? Well, I found out that he is now the ward mission leader in my first ward, is leaving with the missionaries almost everyday, and is now preparing for the mission in a few months. I can`t express the joy that I felt when I found that out. It is truly rewarding to know that a convert of mine is genuinly progressing in the gospel, and now he`s going to do the same thing that I was doing. He`s going to mission prep institute here in Merlo 1, other ward. 

     I don`t know whats happening with my card lately. It is impossible for me in an ATM to take more out than is in the account, so how its overdrafting is beyond me. I apologize for the inconvinience and I wish that there was something I could do about it. Don`t worry about my birthday, its just another day. I`ll figure something out. We`ll have a pizza or something. 

     We were contacting in the streets yesterday and we stopped a family of six people. We were just going to do a normal contact and invite them to church. We found out that they live two blocks from the church and they were always curious about what we do there. We taught them a little bit about the Restoration and they told us to pass by their house. So, we`re going to be passing by this week. I hope they can come to church this week. There name is the Corvalàn Family.  

     Congrats to Gav for completing Junior year of High School. Now its just senior year. Think about it, you start school and then a month later, I`m home. What!!!! Crazy right? Its going to pass by so fast. But anyway...

     Paige, don`t move here. I love this country, don`t get me wrong. Its a great country to visit. I would never live here. And If I had to live here, I wouldn`t live in Buenos Aires. I would live somewhere in Cordoba or Mendoza or Bariloche. But, you could still have babies and get paid in where ever you live so if that`s what you want to do, go for it. I support ya.

  

     I sent you a video that we watched in a Zone Conference when we learned about teaching about the Book of Mormon. I love this video so much. Its epic. Turn up the sound, its even better. I want to make one just like it when I get back.

     Anyway, not much to write. How is my application going to U of I? Have you heard anything from Dr. Murphy? If you do, send him my deepest gratitude for all that he`s done for me. But, thats the way the cookie crumbles this week. So, I`ll talk to you guys next week. I love you! 

Élder Garrett Brighton Rook

 Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Oeste

        "La mejor misión de todo el mundo..."

Weekly Letter June 6, 2012

Hola a todos!

     Well, writing at the end of an interesting week this week. But, I´ll try to address the things that you sent to me first.

     It fills my heart with joy upon reading the story about Mom and Dad that you sent me. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and that He wants us to be happy. I know that he blesses us with everything we need, if we are willing to come halfway. Think of the story of the brother of Jared, who wanted to know how to light the inside of the ships. The Lord didn´t just pull out a bunch of stones and touched them and handed them over with zero effort. The Lord only extended his hand when the Brother of Jared had done everything in his power to solve his own problem, and the Lord did what the Brother of Jared could not do, that is, touch the stones and give light to the ships. The Lord only blesses us with the things that we cannot do, not with what we have inside of our power to do. What you shared is definitly a miracle and I appreciate you sharing it with me.

     I was reading a scripture the other day and I thought you would really like it. Its in Alma 37 where it talks about the Liahona. Maybe you could try to apply it in our daily life. Look and live and according to our faith, daily miracles are worked. Its a great scripture of which you´ll definitely enjoy.

     Also, can you do me a favor? Daniel is probably waiting for my letter, poor kid. I sent it and it got sent back to me. So, I´m going to type a letter and send it through you so he can get it instantly. Tell him I´m sorry and that he´ll be hearing from me next week.

     Congratulations are in order for Gavin and his Eagle. Now, Mom can buy that bumper sticker that says Easgle Scouts instead of Eagle Scout. I did a slide show for my Eagle. It was pretty cool. The Mac would do a sweet video, you can make a DVD and everything.

     Paige, just keep going. If you give up, then you will truly not get anything. Blessings are found in dilligence.

    

     On with my week:

     Well, I have interesting news. My companion and I have just suffered a ´White Wash´, or when both elders are taken out of the area. We had interviews with President last week and he said that he was thinking about doing it. I think its a good idea. That branch needs some new blood and I´ve been there for seven months. I´ve been there for their good times and bad times and I think they want to see a new face. So, we´re in the offices right now waiting for our transfer meeting to start. So, I don´t know where I´m going yet. I´ll let you know next week. I´m kind of nervous but I´m excited too. New ward, new members, new investigators, new companion. It´ll be interesting.

     I think I´ve decided that I want to go to U of I after I get home. I feel good about it. I would be close to home, I could work and I could probably work the summer camp in between school years. They pay well and they know me there. Who knows, we´ll see what happens. It´ll be awesome being with Stewie in school. Maybe, I could live in there house and we could go to school together until I get a car of my own. We´ll see. I´ll have three months to make plans. I´m excited to study. Not trunky....haha

     I know that this time will go by quickly, but I know that I´m where I´m supposed to be. On the mission, as a missionary preaching the Gospel and inviting others to come unto Christ through faith in him and his Atonement, Repentace, Baptism, Receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. I would appreciate that you help me stay focused on the work as I wind down to the end of my time as a missionary. I would be eternally grateful for your words of encourgement and support. I love this work, I love the Gospel, and I love the Lord, and I want to serve Him with all my might until He says that my work is done. I love you guys and I look forward to be reunited with you again in the near future.

     I LOVE YOU!!!

Élder Garrett Brighton Rook

 Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Oeste

        "La mejor misión de todo el mundo..."