******* LANDON J. COOK ******* Melbourne, Australia Mission April 2015

Hello amazing people of the Nile river in Las Vegas, how are you dooooooing? It's been a crazy

Liffey Falls P-Day

week, and we've actually gotten to go out and do a good amount of work this week! We had Zone Conference in Hobart again and that was really cool. I love going to Zone Conference because the AP's and President and Sister Maxwell are there to give a lot of trainings on how we can be better missionaries and better people. After the Conference we made our Zone Christmas Video, and we didn't spend any time making it, so I'm sure it's gonna turn out crap haha. Even the AP's were like "Guys, you need to spend more time making the video, because if not it's gonna be crap", but we only spent two hours making it. We'll see what happens and we will determine on whether it's worth anything or not haha.

Saturday we went on exchanges, and I went to Deloraine with Elder Jensen the District Leader, and that was fun because we were out working almost all day. Didn't get any new investigators or any new contacts, but hey, that's all in the name of the game when it comes to doing what we do! We did get into a pretty heated bible bash with a less-active 7th-Day Adventist lady, and that was pretty interesting to say the least! Because it was Saturday night Calachan and Wade drove back to Deloraine so we could listen to the Transfer Call Out news together, the four of us.

The Bailey Family, I so love them!

Thursday to do finding we went to go walk around in the park to do some street contacting, and we were playing this giant game of chess when this guy stopped to take a picture of us playing. It was funny because I saw him and posed for a picture, and he laughed and invited him to play with us. His name's Jasper and he's actually from Washington DC and is only in Tasmania for a few weeks. He did go to a church for a while, but hasn't gone back to it in a few years. We talked about the Boy Scouts of America Program because he's in it, and eventually we talked to him about coming to our church. He said he would try to make it and we exchanged contact information and gave him a pamphlet about the restoration and he seemed pretty interested. It was really cool, so hopefully Elder Wade and his new companion will see him sometime in the future.

The beautiful Rogers family (Bishop Rogers in the Tamar ward)

And I say that because I'm getting transferred out... I was GUTTED to hear the news of that, and I definitely didn't expect it: no on in the district did! Everyone, even the District and Zone Leaders thought it would be me staying and Elder Wade heading up, but surprise to everyone it was opposite. I'm heading back up to mainland Australia! It really sucks though because I'm leaving right before Christmas, and all the members already had stuff planned for us on Christmas day and the day before, and now I won't be able to participate in ANY of it!! Oh well, I've had a good 4 1/2 months here in the promised land, and I just hope that one day I will be able to come back here after I've been released as a missionary. I tell everyone here that I'll come back with my wife, so we'll see how that turns out hahaha. I haven't even packed any of my stuff yet, but we'll spend most of today getting me all packed up. We spent most of yesterday running around visiting families in the ward and saying goodbye, and that was pretty tough, especially when I had to say goodbye to the Baileys, Roberts, Tai's, and Eccles family. These guys are my favorite families by far, and I just pray that I will see them again someday. But now it's time for another blessed Elder to come and to enjoy this area as much as I have.

The Beautiful Eccles Family ♥


One of the best! The Tai Family!

It feels like I haven't been on the mission for any time at all, but I'm approaching my 7 1/2 month mark, and even though I know the end is still past the horizon, it soars fast. I will miss these families because of the ways that they have blessed and touched my lives with their sprits, and all I can hope for is that they were as touched in their lives from me as I was from them. Keep the faith everybody, don't let your trials get you down because the Lord is always, ALWAYS, walking alongside you, especially during your hardest times.

I await my next area and adventure with excitement and anticipation, but at the same time with sadness because a little piece of my heart is being left here in Tasmania. I love you all, keep going strong in the righteousness of the Lord, and as always, God be with you till we meet again.

-Elder Landon Cook

Ponderize: Omni 1:26

Eli and Cindy Atkinson, basically two of the

SMARTEST people I've ever known

when it comes to Gospel doctrine

***As Elder Cooks mother I have to share some of the most beautiful messages a few of Elder Cook's families in Tasmania have sent to me about him.

This message is from the Rogers Family: "Hi Sister Cook, I am the Bishop of the Tamar ward in Launceston, Elder Cook and Elder Wade are in the other Launceston Ward (Esk Ward). The Elders have been running with us for some time now, once on a P-Day and Once during the week as well as participating in a community run each week. They run with my nearest and dearest friends who are not members. They have represented the Savior so well. Quite possibly, my friends may never join the church, but you can bet on the back of knowing your son and Elder Wade they will always fiercely defend the goodness of these boys and the message they bear. Just the other day the Elders brought an investigator to come running with us. Elder Cook was running like a mad man to keep up with this investigator, Darcy. Elder Cook taught him as he ran. As Elder Wade was dropping off and my brother in law was running with Elder Wade, I knew I had to speed up to try and keep up and act as Elder Cook's companion. For the next hour of hard hill climbs and trail running your son taught the gospel from his heart to this young man. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I could barely breathe we were running so quick but your son did not miss a beat. We are so glad to be associated with them. Although not in our ward they have blessed our ward and our live by loving and influencing the people we love most. Thank you for sending your son away. Rest assured that he is loved and appreciated here. Much love, Bishop Joe Rogers"

This is from the Bailey family: "We have loved getting to know Elder Cook. He is so kind and sensitive to the spirit and a wonderful teacher. He is always trying to improve his missionary skills and is a real stickler for obeying the rules. We love his big smile and the way he openly tells us that he loves us.....this is pretty rare in elders but he is so good at sharing his love with all of us. It's so unfair that I haven't been able to give him a hug, but one day I hope to. It's hard for me to watch him hug my husband and son each time he comes and then I miss out...oh well!! Tonight he hugged Aaron lots...and didn't want to let him go. I know they have a special friendship bond. Elder cook has been so good for Aaron. He has shown Aaron how to serve with all of your heart, might mind and soul. They have had some real fun together and lots of laughs, but also some real spiritual experiences as they have taught together. Whenever I think about Aaron preparing to serve I will always remember how Heavenly Father helped Aaron by sending us Elder Cook. So elder cook said tonight that he would love you guys to come and pick him up from his mission. I don't know if you can manage it but I've let elder Cook know that you are all welcome to come and stay with us for as long as you like. Elder Cook is a part of our family, so that means you all are. I hope that Elder Cook is able to find another mum who can share videos and photos with you so you can feel a part of his mission. He loves you all so much and misses you like crazy.......I know he loves his brother very much and tonight he talked about how much he wants him to prepare to serve a mission and to go before Elder Cook comes home. He doesn't want him to wait a dory longer than he needs to to experience the growth and joy that come from serving. Love you lots, and thanks for sharing him with us! Xxxx"

This message is from the Tai Family: "Your son has a super testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have had some exciting experiences in missionary work. I have enjoyed working together and running with him" Job Tai

Getting ready to leave Tasmania :' With Sister Salyer, Sister Albania and Elder Wade

Me with Aaron and Sariah Bailey and Lizzie Prebble

The Lovely Bailey Family again ♥

Can't get enough of the Bailey Family

One last run this morning with the rest of the Yaffler running group :'( (From left to right: Sister Salyer and Albania, Elder Wade, JJ Tai, Job Tai, Bishop Joe Rogers, me, Justin Cooper, Carlos Furlan, and Darcy Lake)