¡Hola!

Quiero pedir perdon por mis cartas cortas en mis cartas pasadas. Esta carta va a ser un poco más larga...jaja

I want to apologize for my short letters these past few weeks. This letter is going to be a little longer...haha

Housekeeping...

Congratulations to Paige for finally making it through the craziest week of one´s teenage life. I remember my graduation. I went to the party with Adam, and I couldn´t make it all the way home. I slept at Adam´s house and forgot to tell Mom about it. I did, although, play poker and lost everything. I remember how I felt, making such a big step in the path of life. I was ending an era in my story by graduating. It was really scary, but I was ready to take on whatever came.

Congratulations to Gavin as well, for looking like such a stud at graduation. You could totally be an Abercrombie and Fitch model. I am so proud to have a brother such as you. I hope that you do all that you want in life, and better than I could do it. I remember when I was really angry that you were better at soccer at the age when I played. But now, I am proud to have a brother that can do all that I did, and then excel. I thank God everyday for my amazing family, that he has blessed me to be born into.

That really breaks my heart about Lucy. I got really close to that creature over the last year, before the mission of course. I hope that she´ll be okay in the house of Coughenhour.

Gavin, I know it´s really hard to keep going in Scouts. Trust me, I let my Eagle Project sit for nine months before I got it done. If you don´t want to keep going in scouts, that´s your decision. But, know that the benifits in scouts, especially from receiving your Eagle, will carry over for the rest of your life. Plus, we´re brothers, and we´re going to be the two only scouts of the family, and the two Eagle Scouts. I know it´s hard and a little discouraging. But...keep going. Never give up. Only 1% of all Boy Scouts in the entire world earn their Eagle Scout Award, don´t be part of the 99%. We are the few and the proud...

By the way, I did receive the package you sent...thank you. I can already tell you that all of the candy that you sent survived only a few hours after its removal from the bag. Thanks for the music, although the Prince of Egypt soundtrack is missing like the best songs of the movie. But, it´s okay... :-( The the other songs are really sweet too...

Letter...

Okay, about the area. Our area is called Laferrere 2. Our boundaries are gigantic, but we´re only a branch. Our ward records show 560 members of our branch, but less than 70 are active. The leadership here is amazing, but other than that, we don´t receive a lot of support from the members. Our branch President is a convert of 2 years. He is the only man in the world who was sustained as an Elder before he was baptized. He went to Stake Conference the Sunday that he was going to be baptized. He never held the Aaronic Priesthood, he went straight to Elder. There is a total of 30 buses in our area, but all of them go out of the area. So, we don´t have any form of transportation, except for our feet. I have walked more in this area, than I have in my entire life. There are a few little cars that run around and take people places. They are called "druchitos". They drive on a route, and pick people up as they go. It costs like $1.50 ARG per trip. But, they only go to limited places, like to and from the station, so that doesn´t help us a lot.

My companion, Elder Unker, is from South Jordan, Utah and has been here in the mission for a total of 23 months. I am his last companion of the mission before he goes home. It has been a really good experience so far. He really wants to work to finish off his mission well. It is really nice to finally have a companion speak English after 8 months. I like it a lot.

This transfer is the last transfer of our beloved President Benton. He´s going home after a long 3-year mission. We had interviews this last week, and he told me some interesting things of which I will write:

The first thing is that I might be training this next transfer. I am so excited to be training! I would try to be the best trainer ever! But, I guess the new President is going to have a lot of say into who goes where. But, he´s going to put in a good word for me.

I hope you don´t cry when I say this, Mom...but...I was talking to President Benton and he asked me where I wanted to go to school after the mission. I told him either University of Idaho or Southern Virginia University. He strachted his head and said "Well, Elder...that doesn´t sound like such a great idea to me. Because there aren´t a lot of members in either of those areas. And, where are you going to find a wife in an area with not a lot of members? God can raise up a wife for you anywhere, but it would be a lot easier to find her in BYU..." :-/ Thanks President haha So, he got me thinking. He also said that he would write a recomendation letter for me if I ever wanted to teach at the MTC. But, I don´t know what´s going to happen. Although, everytime I think about BYU, I do get a really good feeling. So, just for your information, when you start my college apps, you can start one for BYU. Remember your son who didn´t want to go to a church school? Where did he go? Haha President Benton is a great man, and I have no doubt that what he recieves for his missionaries is pure revelation. Plus, I was talking to a missionary from Virginia, my District Leader, about SVU and he said that he would never go there. He said it´s almost like a community college. So, just thought I would throw that in there.

Well, I´ve got to go. I included some pictures from my travels. I went to Capital with my comp this week to do some government stuff and that´s where some of the pictures are from (like the cathedral, the flags, and the pic by the ocean). The other ones are all from my area.

I love you guys so much! I look forward to the day when we will again be reunited. 15 months is nothing :-)

Con amor,

Elder Garrett Brighton Rook

Laferrere 2

June 6th Still no Pictures!

Hola,

It was so great to hear from you guys today! But, before I start, there is some housekeeping that needs to be done...

First of all, Mom; I did go to the area doctor today. He checked my blood pressure and told me that it was 130/73. Perfectly normal for somebody my size. He told me that I did the right thing by stopping my medications, because I could have had some major problems, had I continued on the medication with normal blood pressure. I have lost a total of 30 pounds here, and he told me that I don´t need to take the medications anymore for the weight I´ve lost. He told me to tell you that. I spent all day in Capital to see the doctor. He´s a great guy.

I do apologize for lack of letter on thursday. My companion got the flu and was in bed all day with diarrea and vomiting, and the next day too. Kind of stunk to be in the apartment all day.

Tell Paige I said congratulations for graduation this week. This is definitely a great time of your life. Enjoy this week, cause it rocks.

Sorry Gavin about the job. That happens! i remember when Hollywood closed down, I was incredibely sad. Although, it would be nice to know why you were laid off. But...whatever sea lo que sea (let it be what it is).

We had a great week here in Laferrere. We had two baptisms on Saturday and both me and my companion were able to baptize one. I will send pictures next week, given that I wasin the city all day and I didn´t bring my camera, and this letter has to be quick. We have a great stake presidency who love to help us with everything we need. The weather is getting colder by the day. the humidity sure makes it a lot colder. I´m now having to wear my coat and a sweater underneath, but I´m staying really warm, no worries. My companion, Elder Unker, is getting ready to visit investigators next week and the next. So, we´ll be pretty busy trying to get him off in the next four weeks.

I do have to say, that I am a little dissapointed about the whole Florida thing, given that I´m going to miss all of my friends, especially my best friend, Daniel. I don´t know what to do or what to think. I know we need to go where the Lord wants us and I know that his ways are higher than ours, but that won´t really help when I can´t see my best friend anymore. He´s like my second brother. But, I guess all will work out in the end.

I´ve got to go, but know that I love you all and that I want to see pictures of graduation next P-day!

With lots of love,

Elder Garett Brighton Rook

P.S. President Benton is finishing the mission in four weeks. I hope you like this video I attached. This was the transfer video we all watch as a mission. It gives an overview of President Benton´s mission and what we do in the mission. Mom and Dad; don´t get mission trunky when you see this video. It´s awesome! Watch it as a family: (My picture is the first on the slideshow)

Letter 5/30/2011 Still no Pictures! :0(

¡Hola familia!

Okay, some housekeeping first. Sorry that I kind of stopped taking my meds. I started them again the other day after I got your email. Up to now, I haven´t recieved a call.

I knew you would be okay in the nursery, Mom. Just keep going and know that you are in this calling for a reason. The Bishop seeks revelation so he knows who to put in what calling. Your name was selected by divine revelation through a leader in Zion. Keep that in mind when difficulty strikes.

If you want to know how horrible people live, take a trip to Argentina, and you´ll think that the house you live in is a mansion, that you have way too many clothes, and you´ll be grateful for your car, even though it gives you troubles sometimes.

Keep feeding the Elders. Being in this position now; I am grateful for all of the help that we receive from the members. You will receive many blessings from your service. Give them references!

That´s really too bad about Gail. Even the greatest of men and women fall into spiritual death. I´m reminded of the story of David, who saw, talked and walked with God in his temple, and then defiled the Spirit by lying with Bath-sheba. Sidny Rigdon, who saw Christ in this dispensation, eventually fell away from the Church and became quite anti against the Saints. Nobody is immune to the temptations of the adversary. Unfortunately, she will be held accountable in the last days, and her sins will be held over her head. Keep the faith, and stay strong in your testimony. Because the day will come when we will have to give an account of everything we did in this life. And we will need to be worthy to stand.

I have been in Laferrere for a week now and I love it. It´s so ghetto. We have two streets that are asfault in our entire area. So, when it rains its a pesadilla (nightmare). My companion, Elder Unker, is a stud. We have so much fun and I´ll be sending you pictures next week because my camera is out of battery.

I am so sorry, but I need to go. I will continue this letter on thursday when we do our progressing investigator form. I love you all and I will write you on thursday.

Love you!

Elder Garrett Brighton Rook

Laferrere, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Weekly Letter 5/23/2011 No Pictures!

¡Hola!

Okay, I am writing at the end of transfer and I got transfered to the middle of nowhere. The city I got transfered to is called La Ferrere. It´s about 2 hours from my previous area. I am with my new companion. His name is Elder Unker from Utah. I´m killing him this transfer! Which means, he´s finishing off his mission while he´s with me. I am so excited to be in a new area. Although I´m going to miss my old area and the members there. I´m going to miss my old companion too. I´ve already got some pictures of the area, but I´ll send them next week. The apartement is sweet and we have a Walmart in our area, so that´s a plus.

Now, for some housekeeping. Sorry I didn´t respond to the questions that you asked me last time. My headaches are doing good. As long as I drink water, I can keep them at bay. I haven´t checked my blood pressure since I´ve gotten here nor am I taking my medication. Once I started losing weight, I haven´t really taken it. Although, we do have Zone Conference this week, so I´ll talk to the President´s Wife about it.

I did hear about the end of the world last week. We were actually in a lesson when 6 o´clock passed. ´Twas quite interesting. The lady was talking about the end of the world and how she was really nervous about it. Then 6 o´clock passed and she wasn´t so nervous anymore. Then we taught about the plan of salvation with her, great lesson.

Florida will be quite a big change. I´m going to miss the mountains too. I miss the mountains now! This place is completely flat. Just keep pushing, and know that the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us.

Gavin, congrats on going to the Shock game dude! And yes, cafe chulo pretty much rocks. Tysen took me there once, he didn´t work there. We went there after we saw Star Trek in theaters. I was at a members house yesterday and they were looking at my personal profile on Facebook and clicked on Journey. Turns out they got a new album. Makes me sad that I can´t listen to it right now...:-( haha If you can, go onto Youtube and look up a band called "La Renga". This member was listening to them when we showed up. They rock.

Paige, you must be getting pretty excited about Alabama no? That is so sweet about the furniture and everything! Personally, I liked bachloriette a lot. Dad went with me last time, and Mr. Wood spoke. I think you´ll like it. It´s kind of a religious deal with the Evangelical Church, but it´s good. I liked it a lot.

Mom, just keep going with the nursery. The Lord has put you in this calling for a reason. He didn´t put you in this calling so you could back out later. Things will improve. I´m not researching the school nor am I trunky. If you do end up going to Florida, I would like to go there, and you would have to start my application soon. A year and 4 months is nothing. I´ll be home before you know it.

Dad, missed your letter this week. I´m sure you´re busy. How´s work going? Is it for sure that the fam is moving to Florida? I´m reading the Old Testament right now, and I just made it through Deuteronomy. I love Moses, but five books is a little much. :-) I can see why there was so much corruption in the Law of Moses by the time Christ came to the earth. The law is so easy to interpret wrong or turn around. It´s interesting, Christ instituted the Law of Moses to the people of Israel, and the Law of Moses ended up killing Christ (for healing on the Sabbath Day). Just a little thinker. I know you like those.

Well, I´ve got to go rock it up in my new area right now. I am so stoked for this transfer. I can already see everybody dressed in white clothing haha I´ll write you next week.

I love you all!

Elder Garrett Brighton Rook

La Ferrere, Buenos Aires, Argentina

¡Hola! ¿Toda piola?

Well, I´m writing after another week in my first area, and my last week. On Monday, I get transfered...finally! I guess you could say that I was getting a little area trunky haha. Okay to start, some housekeeping...

That is really too bad about Ann and George. I do keep them in my prayers every day, that Ann will be able to handle whatever comes her way, and that George will be comfortable in his passing to the eternities. I was thinking about the act of death the other day. What a great opportunity George has: to pass out of this horrible world, and return home to his Savior, at such a young age. Yeah, it´s sad for those he´ll leave behind. But for him, it will be a marvelous homecoming.

Gavin, don´t hate your job bro. I remember some jobs that I hated (Subway, the Shoe Store), but I hated them a little less when payday came. Just keep swimming. Oh...and by the way...GET YOUR EAGLE DONE! If I did it, you have to do it. Everyday, when you get home from work, plan a little bit of your project until its done. We´re brothers, and we are both going to be Eagle Scouts. Don´t worry about going to Florida. I know its going to be hard, especially your Junior Year, and that you´re like super popular in the school as "Garrett´s Younger Brother", haha I had to throw that in there. Just keep saying your prayers and ask Heavenly Father for help. He´s there listening.

Paige, I hope you´re preparing yourself for the big flight to Alabama. Keep your head on straight and pay attention. This is when everything you learned at home comes into play. Never let anything slip by, even a lttle bit. This is when the rubber meats the road. Don´t be afraid to be yourself, but don´t let yourself get in the way either. I know that you´re a little forgetful sometimes, not to offend at all, but in this situation, that can´t happen. You have, in your charge, the well being of little children. Be on top of things at all times and then some. No pressure haha

Okay, I told you a little bit about the baptism last week. But, I´m going to expand a bit. Estiven and Jorgelina were baptized last week on the 7 of May 2011. They were definitely the baptism I will remember forever. Estiven´s Mom, who was against the Baptism the entire time, showed up. During the baptism, she started to cry, a good cry, and she was hugging her son and smiling. The spirit was so incredibly strong, it was overwhelming. I played my rendition of "Joseph Smith´s First Prayer". If that is my only baptism in my entire mission, I will be happy.

I am writing after a week of having probably the worst cold in my entire life. I was in the apartment for 3 days. During this time, I was able to finish the New Testament and start the Old Testament. The New Testament was incredible. It truly shows that our religion did in fact exist during and after the time of Christ. It shows that our church has been restored, not created. I started reading the Old Testament yesterday. I think my new favorite Bible character is Joseph, the one who was sold into Egypt by his bretheren. His story was incredible. No matter his trial, from being sold by his own flesh and blood over jealousy, the temptations of Potiphar´s wife, and being thrown in prison for two years; God was always with him, and was eventually made a ruler over Egypt. After 17 years, he faced his bretheren once again, as his brothers and his father, Israel, needed food to survive the prophesied 7-year famine. He threw Simeon in prison and demanded the appearance of Benjamin, his younger brother. After the other brothers brought Benjamin, he kept the brothers from returning to Canaan on false charges of theft from the King´s Court from the brother, Benjamin. After Judah, other brother, begged that Joseph let him go; it says that Joseph could not restrain himself, he made himself known to his bretheren and they all wept. Joseph forgave his bretheren for what they did to him 17 years before, and said that it was not they who sold Joseph, but God, as Pharoah needed help in sustaining his country during the famine that would have destroyed Egypt. I think this story is a prime example of forgiveness. How you you feel if your own siblings sold you into another country, probably knowing that they would never see you again, and were content about it? The pain that they put there father through, as he said that he would mourn until the day of his death for Joseph. What was Joseph thinking in his two years in prison? Why did they do this to me? Did he let that hate of his bretheren build, or did he forgive them already? We don´t know, but in the end, he forgave every single one. We, as Latter Day Saints, should really observe this example of Joseph. The Lord said "I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive; but of you, it is requiered to forgive all men". Let´s apply this to our daily lives and encounters with people, for to err is to be human, but to forgive is godly. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Su hijo y misionero favorito,

Elder Garrett Brighton Rook

Moreno, Buenos Aires, Argentina

P.S. Sorry if you get a late letter next week, but I´m going to be transfered and don´t know when I´ll be able to get to the internet.

P.S.S. I included two photos. One of me and Elder Alkema and the other is Paso del Rey, and area in our zone. I took it during exchanges with Elder Bush.

P.S.S.S. I found a coat that I´m going to buy this week. It won´t break the bank and it´s only about 350-400 pesos.

This week we talked on the phone!

Garrett called on Sunday for Mother's Day, and it was so good to hear his voice. He sounded so happy, and content.

He talked about how wonderful it is to be able to study the gospel everyday. He loves reading the New Testament, and said that it is an amazing book. It is amazing to me that this young boy is reading and understanding the gospel at such a young age. I guess we trained him right!

As we spoke to him, he had a hard time finding the right words in English. He kept asking his companion how do you say this in English. It's kind of funny because we spoke to his companion, and we couldn't understand him either as he had a thick accent and didn't speak much English. He is is from Argentina.

This baptism was the boy who had to wait until he was 18, and his girlfriend. His mother did not want him to be baptized but came to the service, and cried through the whole thing. Garrett said it was an amazing service and the spirit was so strong there. He said that he won't forget this one for a long time.

Garrett also told us of the hard time they have with the wards there. He said that the Bishop and first counselor are inactive, and the the second counselor runs that ward. He also talked about his friend that is in a different ward and said that his Bishop is very inactive and doesn't like the missionaries to even think about baptizing because he doesn't want the responsibility of new members. Just simply amazing that the wards are so dysfunctional there. In the ward there are 600 members and only 40-50 that come every week. If the weather is bad no one goes to church because they have to walk 5 miles on unpaved roads, and they just don't like to do it. I'm so grateful that we live here in the United States, where things are a bit more normal.

He told us that the time is going by quickly, and can hardly believe that he has been out almost 8 months. I can. Some days it feels like it goes quickly, and other days not so much.

I'm grateful that I have a son that is worthy to serve a mission. I'm grateful that he has a testimony and a willingness to serve the Lord. I know this church is true. I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that I know that my family and I will be together forever.

Godspeed Garrett!

Weekly Letter 5/2/2011

¡Hola familia mía!

Okay, to start...some housekeeping. I did see the news that Bin Laden has been killed. That was a long time coming. I don´t say that I liked to see him dead, but the world didn´t have a place for him anymore. We just saw the end of an era with his death. Hopefully, things will start wrapping up across the pond for our American Troops. It´s interesting whats happening all around the world, and I´m here in my mission, haha but I wouldn´t be anywhere else.

Hey, I will be calling you guys on Sunday at around 3 or 4 o´clock, depending on if my comp talks first or me. But, it´ll be around that time. I´m excited to talk to all of you, although it´s been a while since I talked to you but it doesn´t seem like it. Weird haha

Thanks for putting the box together. What music did you put inside? Just curious. I do want about 3-4 copies of my CD, the mission wants it to make copies for the Elders. Use the flat rate box from the US Postal Service. It´s like up to 40 pounds international for a pretty good price. All of the Elders down here receive mail in the flat rate box. Send the box to the address you sent it to last time. I think it´s still on my facebook account. The list of music is on gavin´s email.

I´m glad that Paige had a safe trip to Arizona. And that Gavin had a kickin´ trip to Seattle. I remember my trip to Seattle. It pretty much rocked, especially Pike Street Market and the Light Show.

Alright Mom, I do not need boots. Given that it doesn´t snow down here at all and only rains, i´m not going to need any form of boot. My shoes are doing just fine right now. I have been using them since the beginning of my mission and there is hardly any wear on the bottom. They are awesome shoes, I definitely made a really good choice on those shoes. The one thing I do need is a heavy coat. We got a little sample of cold weather this morning. I woke up and could see my breath, just laying in bed in my bedroom. Given that there isn´t a house or buidling here that has insulation. We went outside and it was pretty chilly. But a humid cold. I could feel it like stratching my bones. Weird feeling. My body definitely isn´t use to it. But, I will be looking for a heavier coat this week. Elder Alkema found one for a pretty decent price today, so I think I´m going to be looking for one this week.

Our District Leader interviewed Estiven and Jorgelina this week, and they are so ready to be baptized! During Jorgelina´s interview, I was talking to Estiven about going on a mission. He was asking me what he needs to do to get ready and what he needs to study. He has already read the Book of Mormon, but I told him to never stop studying it. He wants to study Doctrine and Covenants and the New Testament as well. He´s such a stud, I don´t know what I´m going to do after he´s baptized. We´ve been looking forward to his baptism for such a long time. It´s going to be weird to find other investigators.

Yes Mom, it is true about the food here. You can´t find any form of processed foods here. Everything is all natural, bueno not natural but it´s not all loaded with salt and preservatives. The soda pop is pure sugar so it tastes better, the soups and packages noodles taste better because they´re not loaded with salt, and everything here has a strict experation date. If you buy outside of experation date, you´re getting sick. The meat here is out of this world. Argentina is the largest consumer of red meat in the world. So you could imagine the expertise in the field of barbeque and outside grilling. Mom and Dad, you need to come down here to pick me up, and I can arrange for some members to cook us some legit Asado that is absolutely to die for.

Not much to write this week I´m afraid. But, I will continue to keep you all posted on anything exciting that happens down here. Make a list of questions that you want to ask me on Sunday when I call. I am looking forward to talking to you all on Sunday and hearing your voices. Keep strong in the faith and never give up.

Your son, brother and missionary,

Elder Garrett Brighton Rook

Moreno, Buenos Aires, Argentina

P.S. Don´t send the box until after we´re done talking on the phone. Please :-)

P.S.S. I sent some pictures. One is a cockroach that we found in the apartment that we flipped over and I took a picture of. Another is a picture of Elder Alkema and i at Zone Conference. Another is a photo of our Zone with all of our blue scarves on to help us get excited for our baptism goal. Another is a huge statue of San Martin in the middle of my area. Look him up, his story is really interesting.