You are the message: Elder Quentin L. Cook

May 1, 2016 letter

           

            Dear All,

                        Wow already May.  Each May 1, I think of my  grandma Mae Pickett.  She played a big role in our life because she lived across the street.  She was so nice, kept busy quilting as long as she could see and very frugile.  Loved her. 

            Another busy week has gone by.  They go fast but we wouldn’t change that.  Kept thinking of Kendal as she became a teen ager – and a beautiful one at that. 

            We had such a great time with Carolyn and Steve.  After they left we went on our first visits with two sisters to the very inactive people.  Sister Vicente thinks that since we have met these people 1 time we can introduce them to them and help activate them.  She is an amazing lady and will work hard to give everyone a chance to be active in our true Church.  We loved watching the Zuni people relate to Sister Vicente and  Sister Walela.  Lots of talks of their childhood and the fun they used to have together. 

            Early afternoon we headed to Grants to see the New Missionaries there.  Elder and Sister Evans.  They are very talented photographers, great with music, and the autoharp.  Fun to get to know them.  We then went to see the Burks that live in Grants also.  We know them and so love them.  They fed us dinner and we just had a good visit.  Sister Burk got very sick on Tuesday and by Wednesday she was in the Hospital  They moved her from Grants to Albuquerque to take care of her.  She has  a problem with her blood and all of her counts were low.  She had a rash.  She should be coming home today with lots of good meds and follow up.  It happened so fast.  Glad they are able to help her.

            Tuesday We spent most of the day visiting Maria, and Punchellas.  Marie ask us to help her with her move her old stairs.  They finally got the ramp built for her trailer but too late to help Grandma Potato Chips who has passed away.  She now has a good ramp any way. 

            When we visited the inactives on Monday we met Sister Laate.  She has two little kids and no wood.  We decided to take her some on Tuesday from the very small Branch pile.  So hope others can help her also.  She was so thankful and nice.  It can be very hard to live in Zuni without a truck and lots of help.  Getting to meet a new person that is trying but doesn’t have much is a blessing in out lives.

            Today was quite busy.  I wasn’t feeling my best but it all went well.  We love Sister Hattie and went to visit her.  She is a blessing to my life.  She loves her family so much and I constantly relate to her and the things she wants to do for them.  She works hard to help her grandkids.  They come to her house after school most days.  She has snacks for them and helps them understand the importance of Prayer and the Book of Mormon. 

            We are preparing for another movie night.  We have had Jodi sending DVD’s and I think we will pull it off.   Jill always makes my invitations for these.   Thanks Jill saves me lots of time.   We are going to give each member three invites and ask them to share two with neighbors and friends.  There certainly are plenty of people to invite. 

            We are still helping our friends Vanessa with school.  We took her up to the University to get her classes in order.  Lots of prayers for her that she will stay with this and better herself.  She is a very great girl.  On top of this I was in charge of Young Womens .  The two leaders were coming late because of commitments.  The girls wanted to make Lasagna and I was ask to teach them how and let them make some of their own.  I felt pretty tired because of this lingering cold.  One of the girls said – are you tired.   I tried to stay upbeat and we had fun.  They were excited and made six extra small pans full to give to other people.  It was a fun night. 

            Thursday’s best thing was that we talked to Kendal on her birthday.  No surprise that she was eating steak.  She still loves it.  So proud of this 13 year old girl.  She always texts us with little things.  We sure love that girl.

            We also took the famous visiting teaching cards around.  They were so beautiful this month and I didn’t want to waste one of them.  They said, “your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstances, ‘  He hears your prayers.  He knows your hopes and dreams including your fears and frustrations.”  Elder Jeffery R. Holland   This was perfect for all of us and more than perfect for these ladies.  Love the visiting teaching messages.

            We had our first Missionary Meeting with President Haws the Gallup Stake President on Thursday evening.  It was really great to hear his appreciation for the Missionaries and how we can work with the people in the Wards and Branches.  Very much like at home when we are ask to help the Ward Missionaries.  The big difference is that there are so many people down here that need reactivated.  He reminded us that many of their cultural differences are good – they are not all bad.  He also said that some of ours are challenging.  What a great man with an even greater message. 

            We have taken wood to Vivian who just returned from Utah and helped her cut up the big logs. 

            On Saturday we were invited to Farmington with the young Elders.  Elder Quintin Cook was there with Elder Ecco Hawk.  Wow it was amazing.  Most of the time when a General Authority comes we get to make a line and walk through and shake their hand.  It is always a very special minute to do this.  We loved Sister Cook – she had all of us up singing rounds with church songs.  She is a fun lady.  Elder Cook taught us about 4 missionary Statements.  They are for everybody because those of you at home can do so much Missionary work with your own families, friends and neighbors.  Every time I hear the wonderful words of our Apostles I just want every member of our family to be here with us and to hear what they have to say but way more important to have them feel of the Spirit that is in these meetings.  You can’t deny the truth of the Gospel and the love for Jesus Christ as you listen and feel the Spirit in the room.  Feel very lucky and blessed.

Here are the 4 Missionary Statements for all of us:

1. We are Ward and Branch builders. 
2. You will have success when you invite someone to come to church regardless of the outcome.  We should be stepping forward and inviting others to come unto Christ.
3. You are the message – I love this  by the way you look, your obedient, if you are warm and friendly and gracious.    The words we say when we re out and around others and in our homes tell what we really are.  We need to all learn to be kind to our families and others.  It is amassing how much others may be watching all of us.  Heavenly Fathered is relying on His Children to help him with others. 
4. Focus our Spiritual powers on teaching, planning and our purpose.  As we ask others to commit we are teaching repentance.  So grateful for repentance.  Thankful Heavenly Father loves us no matter what and that we can repent and be better than we were before.  Love remembering this.   He told us that our Mission is not just for us.  It is for everyone at home – and everyone we love.  That has been my prayer since we came to Zuni that our amazing family would be blessed and that they would allow the Lord to bless them and their families.  Wow that meeting really touched me.

On the way home I found out that because our darling Sister Walker had her baby boy Elder Dattage and I would be doing all of primary.  We were able to prepare the Sharing time and some songs to sing but the next morning Vanessa called and was sick so she couldn’t come to give the lesson.  I started studying fast..  Elder Dattage did the teaching of the Sharing time about the restoration.  I got the lesson and an activity for them to make a gift for Sister Walker.  The kids loved making the cards and hooking them on small baby diapers.  They were cuties and we had about 14 of them.   So glad that Elder Dattate is finally getting better from his cold.  He kept going as he always does but good to have him feeling better. 

            A great Sunday as we took wood later to a person that was burning old shoes to keep warm.  We didn’t cut it but we took some from the Branch pile so they would be warm tonight.  Please remember how fortunate all of you are.  You are blessed and loved by so many.  Love all of you for the amazing soccer players, newspaper writers, dancers, friends to many people, doing plays, wrestlers,  being so smart and using it to do good things, and fishing,learning to read, working hard at school  and loving Emma.  Thanks all of you so much.  You are great.  Everyone offers to do so much.   Thanks to Shea and whoever went to the ranch.  You are so kind and so amazing.  Thanks to Kim for doing little things to help me and also for getting the lights down at some point.  You are workers and helpers.  Elden loved the pictures Ryan sent him Saturday about the wreck.  I thought he might head back to Utah he was so excited.  Thanks.    Pictures and love are amazing.  Happy for our friends that are doing well at home also.  Love you guys,

Elder and Sister Dattage

            

Young Elders & Sisters waiting to hear Elder Cook

Elders at the Zuni fun run!

Elders and Branch members at the fun run

You Matter to Him

April 17, 2016

Dear All,

            We are loving our Mission in Zuni.  Wow these people are just so amazing.  I guess we always love the people we serve. 

            We went to Saw Mill to E/S Berry.  It is pretty there but high in the mountains and quite cold.  They are working hard and have a nice place to stay.  Saw Mill is a  Branch also.

            Today was great.  We had several non members, and less active members come to church.  They are trying so hard.  When we visited with Sister Hattie  this week she ask if she could be one of those visiting teachers.  She has returned to church this last two months.  She is amazing and willing to change and serve and love everyone around her.  We have visiting with her.  She teaches us most of the time because of her willingness to work and follow the Savior. 

SisterVicenti help a Visiting Teaching Conference on Wednesday.  We set up chairs and made food but she did the conference.  It was amazing.  Brother Hooee told her that they had never had anything like that before.  All but 4 sisters came to hear her teach them how to visit teach.  She gave us nice books with information and she taught all of us.  We finally have our list of very inactive members put together.  We have been able to find the addresses of 40 – 50 sisters that are members.  Elder Dattage and I have been able to visit with all of them but a couple.  What great visits we have had.  We really have enjoyed them.  Now they are divided into groups and the sisters are ready to visit them.  We will go with each group and introduce them to these people then they will visit them.  Wow this is amazing.  Sister Vicenti told us it is our responsibility to reach all of these Sisters and invite them back.  Heavenly Father would want us to do that and we are the ones that must do it.  She is amazing for sure.  This is something that can be done here and in Utah.  Lots of work for all of us.   On Thursday nights the men go in twos and visit families.  Every Thursday not just once a month.  They are making progress in that area too.  

            We have done wood twice this week.  It has been cold and people are wanting more.  They go with us and help us get it then we divide it between several families.  Hard for us to think that in order to be warm we would have to go haul wood.  Some do not have trucks.  Hard work to keep people warm. 

            I was asking Brianne Salt about graduation in May from High School.  She said 14 kids were graduating.  At their first of their Senior year there were 50 kids but the rest have dropped out.  If they do not pass their tests they have to do a portfolio and present it.  If it is good enough they graduate if not they don’t. 

We saw pictures of snow in Utah but we had snow here also  I was surprised but they said we could get more. 

We are working hard and especially now that we are District Leaders.  It added a lot more work but it is important. 

Zone Conference was in monument Valley.  It was a 4 hour drive there and 4 hours back.  That is the day it snowed so it was a little slower.  We talked about the Worth of Souls  from the talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdoft, “you Matter to Him.”  He says, “No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance or how little you calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father.  He loves you.  He knows your humble heart, and you acts of love and kindness.  Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.         

            We have such great Missionaries to serve with.  Elder Huston and Elder Tollifson.  They help us so much and they serve so hard.  They are great examples to any one serving.    Transfer day is next Saturday so we will see if we get to keep them.

            .  Love our family at home.  They all had extremely busy weeks.  They are busy doing good things.  So glad Taylor got her drivers license.  Thanks for the amazing pictures you have all sent.  We love them.    You are all so willing to help.  Ask for sweet shirts and they are on their way.  Thanks Jill.  Seems though you are always serving us and we are grateful.    We hope we will soon be over our colds.  Elden has really had a bad cold.  Mine is not as bad but annoying.  Hope we both feel well soon   Love serving in Zuni but miss the amazing people working so hard at home.  Love all of you.  Thanks for everything.  Prom pictures were handsome and beautiful..  So fun for Taylor and Hunter.  Kim and Reagan are working so hard on their play.  Wish we could see it.  Hayden love your one liner comments.  Keep them coming.    Love you tons,

Aprill 16th wood hauling.  Elder Huston adn Brother Benn waitinf for wood to be cut. 

Calling it quits for the day

Elder Tollifson and Brother Salt working on a tree

Elder Dattage and Elder Houston gassingi up to cut more wood to fill the truck.  Reminds dad of a year deer hunter under snow covered trees

New Mexico prarie dogs have taken over the church yard

So tired of rain and snow!  It must go!

The Family Visits and District Leaders

April 2 , 2016 letter

Dear All,

            It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote to you.  Last week was so wonderful.  Our family came down to see our Zuni and our little Branch and town.  We felt so supported by this amazing family we have and love them so much.  We enjoyed every second of the time we spent with them.  We loved seeing

            The week before was very busy with helping others and visiting and teaching many.  We love helping the people. 

            On Saturday morning before we left for Gallup to see our family we had a Branch Easter Egg hunt and a hot dog lunch.  We had a lot of children come and they had fun.  The Young Women hid the eggs , the Elders and us talked and showed a very short video, and the Elders and Elder Dattage and President Walker cooked hot dogs.  Sister Walker and I were able to get the meal ready to serve and enjoyed some visiting.  We were able to bring two different families to the hunt.  Both are less active but had a great time.  We took them home then took the Elders with us to Gallup because the night before their truck had a flat time and we took them to Gallup to get it fixed.

            We met our family at the hotel.  They were waiting and we were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves.  So many hugs from the people we love more than anything in the world.  Saturday Night was the Women’s Meeting in Gallup so we took the Granddaughters to the Gallup Stake Center and I was able to watch with daughters, daughter in law (who is just like a daughter to me) and Taylor, Reagan, Kendal, Jordan and Samantha.  So so so amazing.  Love them.    

            Sunday we came to church in Zuni Branch.    Our family was one half of the people there.  One of my high lights was Elder Dotage and Hunter passing the Sacrament together.  The little ones went to Primary and the girls and Hunter went to Sunday School and Young Women’s.   Taylor was able to see the room with the decorations that she sent.  They love them.   Kendal and Reagan went to Young Womens also.   They said the Primary kids were amazingly good and Samantha and Jordan and Maelee kept them in line.   Hunter went to Priesthood because we do not have Aaronic Priesthood boys that attend.  They men held Preisthood in a little tiny classroom because their Priesthood room was too cold.  They were so crowded that Shae had to sit in the middle.  There was no room There was no one to teach Sunday school to the youth so Lance and Jeff went in and taught that class...  So wonderful to have my girls in Relief Society with me.  After we invited the Walkers and the Salts to dinner with our family.  It was fun using the ovens in the church and mine to prepare this dinner.  After we visited and the kids all played together.  They were so kind to each other and had so much fun.  The Elders were also to dinner and enjoyed some family time with our families.  Love all of these people.

            On Monday we headed to the Petrified wood Forest.  This took most of the day.  We ate pizza and let the kids swim.  They love that part as we visited with them and help and enjoyed them so much.

            Tuesday we went to El Morrow.  It is a beautiful mountain and a hike to see ruins and many signatures on the walls by Spaniards as they passed through many years ago.

            After we ate Zuni Chicken at the Holana Store.  We were so crowded that many had to stand and eat but it was fun then we drove around Zuni showing them the people and homes, schools, library, hospital, Wellness center, the Old Mission and the old town were people still live.  It was the original part of Zuni.  We showed them the bread ovens and couldn’t buy bread because the bakery wasn’t open while they were here.

            We went to Chinle to see the Canyon De Chelly national Monmument   This is a beautiful place – some say prettier than the Grand Canyon.  Some of them hiked to the bottom and saw the ruins close up.  We spent most of the day seeing this beautiful spot.  On that evening we went out to eat and the kids swam again.

            At this point we headed to Fort Bluff and Blanding.  We loved it there.  It is beautiful and the fort was so fun.  Hand carts, dress ups for kids, many cabins with stories of the pioneers that lived there and much more.  We loved the film and learning about the pioneers and their hard travel to Bluff.  So fun for us.  We also went to some other ruins and then it was time late. 

            On the next day we left early and went to Farmington to our District Training Meetings We were called as District leaders last week and are so humbled by this.  We know that a lot of responsibility comes with them.  We will have meetings and will need to work with the missionaries in the Window Rock District.  We learned a lot at our meeting and found out that the next training meeting is in Zuni.  We will be even more busy because we need to visit all of the people in our District.  There is one Zone leader and then four District Leaders in this Mission.   We will keep working hard and do our best. 

            Now we are back in Zuni and the first thing we did was get wood for our dear friend Pam.  We love conference and enjoyed it Saturday and also visited so many in between.  The Elders watch with us because they have no T V. 

            Conference is amazing.  We love it and hope we can use so much of it to help those around us.  Some of my favorite things we were taught have been to remember who we are.  Use and love the Preisthood authority and keys, To forgive is not to condone.   Be willing to say I am sorry,  I am wrong,  I am proud of you.  Blessings of family Councils and that Grandparents can encourage children. 

            Love you and hope you can listen and love what we learn in Conference.  Remember that Charity is the Pure Love of Christ.  Love and help those around us.  We love you.

 Fun pictures from the Branch Easter Egg Hunt

           

The grandkids were all waiting for Elder and Sister Dattage on this couch at the hotel!  They were more than a little excited!!

 Maelee and Kasey!  New favorite friends!!

 Dancing in the church parking lot with our friends from the Branch

 Mae, Jax and Kyson with branch friends!

Serious 4 square and dancing!

Brother Salt brought lots of whipping cream!  The kids loved this!!

Ken

Tyson

 Reggie

 Jord

Nahoa getting whipped cream

Even Emma made a new friend!  Emma and Cohen!  This is one of my favorite pictures from the entire trip!

Elder and Sister Dattage had Easter baskets full of handmade Zuni goods!  They are so thoughtful even the 2 Elder's got a basket!!  

Here we are at the Petrified Forest

Eating a very windy lunch at the Petrified Forest

 After we ate lunch at the Halona market we bought tons of flour!  The bags were so awesome and used to make many traditional crafts!

On our way down from El Morrow!  So beautiful!!!  

 Elder and Sister Dattage at 4 Corners!  Elder Dattage had to stand in New Mexico!  Sister Dattage was most comfortable in Utah!!  

 Elder and Sister Dattage are the new District Leaders!  After their first meeting in Farmington they went to a members home who collects old cars!

Check out this blowing sand in the parking lot!  

We were all so grateful to spend the week with Elder and Sister Dattage or as we know them, Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa!  I can't even begin to tell you the impact they are having on the lives of the members  in Zuni!  They are so loved there!  People tear up when they talk about them and how much they love and appreciate them!  We are so proud of them and grateful for their example!  No one loves their kids and grandkids more firecely than Elder and Sister Dattage!  If they can leave home and serve a mission anyone can!  I testify to the importance of missionary work, in particular the work of Senior Missionaries.  They are so tender in the hearts of people and their impact is so GREAT!!!!!  

Visitors and Easter Egg Hunts

April 2 , 2016 letter

Dear All,

            It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote to you.  Last week was so wonderful.  Our family came down to see our Zuni and our little Branch and town.  We felt so supported by this amazing family we have and love them so much.  We enjoyed every second of the time we spent with them.  We loved seeing

            The week before was very busy with helping others and visiting and teaching many.  We love helping the people. 

            On Saturday morning before we left for Gallup to see our family we had a Branch Easter Egg hunt and a hot dog lunch.  We had a lot of children come and they had fun.  The Young Women hid the eggs , the Elders and us talked and showed a very short video, and the Elders and Elder Dattage and President Walker cooked hot dogs.  Sister Walker and I were able to get the meal ready to serve and enjoyed some visiting.  We were able to bring two different families to the hunt.  Both are less active but had a great time.  We took them home then took the Elders with us to Gallup because the night before their truck had a flat time and we took them to Gallup to get it fixed.

            We met our family at the hotel.  They were waiting and we were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves.  So many hugs from the people we love more than anything in the world.  Saturday Night was the Women’s Meeting in Gallup so we took the Granddaughters to the Gallup Stake Center and I was able to watch with daughters, daughter in law (who is just like a daughter to me) and Taylor, Reagan, Kendal, Jordan and Samantha.  So so so amazing.  Love them.    

            Sunday we came to church in Zuni Branch.    Our family was one half of the people there.  One of my high lights was Elder Dotage and Hunter passing the Sacrament together.  The little ones went to Primary and the girls and Hunter went to Sunday School and Young Women’s.   Taylor was able to see the room with the decorations that she sent.  They love them.   Kendal and Reagan went to Young Womens also.   They said the Primary kids were amazingly good and Samantha and Jordan and Maelee kept them in line.   Hunter went to Priesthood because we do not have Aaronic Priesthood boys that attend.  They men held Preisthood in a little tiny classroom because their Priesthood room was too cold.  They were so crowded that Shae had to sit in the middle.  There was no room There was no one to teach Sunday school to the youth so Lance and Jeff went in and taught that class...  So wonderful to have my girls in Relief Society with me.  After we invited the Walkers and the Salts to dinner with our family.  It was fun using the ovens in the church and mine to prepare this dinner.  After we visited and the kids all played together.  They were so kind to each other and had so much fun.  The Elders were also to dinner and enjoyed some family time with our families.  Love all of these people.

            On Monday we headed to the Petrified wood Forest.  This took most of the day.  We ate pizza and let the kids swim.  They love that part as we visited with them and help and enjoyed them so much.

            Tuesday we went to El Morrow.  It is a beautiful mountain and a hike to see ruins and many signatures on the walls by Spaniards as they passed through many years ago.

            After we ate Zuni Chicken at the Holana Store.  We were so crowded that many had to stand and eat but it was fun then we drove around Zuni showing them the people and homes, schools, library, hospital, Wellness center, the Old Mission and the old town were people still live.  It was the original part of Zuni.  We showed them the bread ovens and couldn’t buy bread because the bakery wasn’t open while they were here.

            We went to Chinle to see the Canyon De Chelly national Monmument   This is a beautiful place – some say prettier than the Grand Canyon.  Some of them hiked to the bottom and saw the ruins close up.  We spent most of the day seeing this beautiful spot.  On that evening we went out to eat and the kids swam again.

            At this point we headed to Fort Bluff and Blanding.  We loved it there.  It is beautiful and the fort was so fun.  Hand carts, dress ups for kids, many cabins with stories of the pioneers that lived there and much more.  We loved the film and learning about the pioneers and their hard travel to Bluff.  So fun for us.  We also went to some other ruins and then it was time late. 

            On the next day we left early and went to Farmington to our District Training Meetings We were called as District leaders last week and are so humbled by this.  We know that a lot of responsibility comes with them.  We will have meetings and will need to work with the missionaries in the Window Rock District.  We learned a lot at our meeting and found out that the next training meeting is in Zuni.  We will be even more busy because we need to visit all of the people in our District.  There is one Zone leader and then four District Leaders in this Mission.   We will keep working hard and do our best. 

            Now we are back in Zuni and the first thing we did was get wood for our dear friend Pam.  We love conference and enjoyed it Saturday and also visited so many in between.  The Elders watch with us because they have no T V. 

            Conference is amazing.  We love it and hope we can use so much of it to help those around us.  Some of my favorite things we were taught have been to remember who we are.  Use and love the Preisthood authority and keys, To forgive is not to condone.   Be willing to say I am sorry,  I am wrong,  I am proud of you.  Blessings of family Councils and that Grandparents can encourage children. 

            Love you and hope you can listen and love what we learn in Conference.  Remember that Charity is the Pure Love of Christ.  Love and help those around us.  We love you.

            Elder and Sister Dattage