New Year and Change

This week was so great! Missionary work was non-existent but that's okay. Both Elder Ross and I just were counting down the days till Christmas! We got to go over to Sister Couch's for "dinner" that was all day long ha-ha. It was so nice. She has taken care of us this last transfer. She is kind of like another Grandma. Her famous words: "Come on in. Sit down. Take your shoes off. Stay a while. Are you hungry? Go get some food. Take a load off."

Since I've been on my mission, as I meet people, I find things I like and want to take home with me. The way Sister Couch's home is is how I would like mine to be. Her whole family came over on Christmas and it was just like we were at Grandma Summers' house. It was loud and crazy. Everyone laughing and picking on each other. It was great! You would have thought that we were just part of the family! It was so great to just be there! We even had a gospel discussion. After supper, one of the aunts asked me a few questions and we all sat and talked about it. Sister Couch's less-active sister even helped answer the questions. It was just so nice!

Transfers happened!! We are both leaving! They are going to put sisters in our apartment! The other elders in our district aren't too happy about it. I just want to clean so its not nasty in the apartment. There is just no way. I had a dream that i went back to Dearborn with Elder McCormick. I would be okay with that but we'll find out for sure tomorrow! Wish me LUCK!

Love,
    Cooper

Baptized!!

This week Cody got baptized!!! It was so great! They talk about people being prepared and he was one of them! The baptism was on Saturday at noon. We got there, the font was full and ready to go. We had such a great turn out. We filled up the Relief Society room with people. Everyone that had a hand with Cody was there. He's pretty social, so there was a lot of people! Even President and Sister Gerber came.

There was a couple short talks and one I thought was great. It was about how the ward/church is his family now. That's really how our ward runs. It's not a ward--it's a ward family. He also talked about how this is just the beginning of Cody's path of ordinances.

On Sunday I got to stand in on his confirmation. There were probably about 12 of us standing in. It was neat. Bishop Day had him come up on the stand and he presented Cody as the newest member of the ward. While he was up there, he asked that Cody be sustained to be set apart to be a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood and to the calling as a ward missionary. Talk about cool!  Bishop Day is so great! He started to cry as he said he found Cody worthy to progress so quickly. It was awesome!

Other than that, there was not a whole lot of exciting things that happened. In church it was all

Me & Elder Ross

musical preferences. The Spirit was so strong! It was a great way to start the week! I'm pumped for Christmas and it's suppose to get back into the 60's by the middle of the week. Yes! A green Christmas! ha-ha

Only a couple more days...I'll talk to you soon!

Love,
   Cooper

Counting down til Christmas

This week was pretty good. We have had such great weather. It has been in the 50s and yesterday it was 63! I am so thrilled with the weather! I mean, what could be better than a green winter? No tracking in the freezing cold!

We've pretty much spent the whole week going around talking to people and inviting them to the ward Christmas party that was this Saturday. No one came except for a less-active sister, Sister Mckenzie. She has been been active for a while but Bishop Day took us over to invite her. She has been prepared. She wants to be active again and her 8 year old daughter is talking about being baptized--so that is super cool. This is one of the most gospel-orientated wards I have ever served in. Like, wow! The Bishop is just the greatest. It's all about the people and their experience with the gospel and their next ordinance. It's so neat! He is such a great guy!

The party was great! We had a really big turn out. There was plenty of food and absolutely no seats left. They had to pull out more tables for everyone! They had a talent show and Cody, our investigator, sang. He did really good. I didn't know he could sing that good! He's on date to be baptized this Saturday at noon. It sounds like the whole ward is going to try and be there! It's super exciting for him. Hopefully he pass's the interview tomorrow.

Yesterday we went to a choir concert that Grandma Lavely was singing in. It was so good. They did such a good job! It's the Michigan Concert Choir. Elder Ross wasn't too happy to go but we all ended up enjoying ourselves! Only a couple more days until Christmas. I'm so pumped! Hopefully this week is a good one!

Love you,
   Cooper

To Hell and Back

My visit to Hell

This week we did a couple of neat things. We got to go to a zone conferece and listen to President Gerber and our stake president talk to us and have other instructions. I just love it when we get together! I can see all my old friends and get to be with President Gerber. It was a good conference. We did a lot of practices and less talking, so that was cool (if you had a comp that would work with you!)

Then we went out with the Bishop. He is on the top of my "favorite bishop list" right now. He just gets the gospel. He makes it so simple to understand. We went and visited some less-active members and he asked if they would let us come back. They said yes! It was just so cool. The way he goes about his work is how I could see Christ doing it. It's not about programs...it's about people and helping them. Bishop wants us to take the Deacon's Quorum President out to one of the boys that is in his stewardship. What a lesson. That is how the work should be done. It's so cool


We also got to go with Cody, our investigator, to a Christmas program--not the First Presidency one, although we did see that with him too. This one was different. It had the nativity broken down into the people and their experiences--like the shepherds and the wise men. The spirit witnessed again to me that Jesus is my savior. Then, just this morning, as I was reading in Mark about Christ's suffering in Gethsemane. It said He was amazed at the load or astonished and He felt heavy and asked God to take it from Him. And He went and fell down and prayed again. He did that for me!! What a marvelous gift! It was a sweet experience!

Love,
   Cooper

No Complaints

This week was really slow with Thanksgiving. We just kind of  waited around for Turkey Day--I mean there is food and stuff. All elders are excited for food! A recent convert, Mike, had us over to supper with the other elders from our ward. We sat and talked and just laughed. It was good to just be and not feel like we had to leave. That's one thing I still don't like is feeling the need to leave after a certain time. The food was great and so was the company. I can't complain. We ate so much!

Before Thanksgiving dinner we went on exchanges. I was with Elder Park, the district leader, who is from Idaho. We went and knocked doors for a couple hours.....not such a hot idea. No one wanted to talk, of course and if they did it was like they thought we were Jehovah witnesses. "Don't you know that today is? Thanksgiving!" Uh ya, we'll be eating turkey in a little bit too but we're thankful for Christ, our Savior.

Yesterday in church we had some great talks. They were personal, well prepared, and the speakers got choked up so I liked it!  ha-ha. The ward here is great! We get fed a lot and the members are all pretty missionary-minded, the one's I've met anyway. The bishop is awesome and the ward council is right behind him. It's going to be good! The elders were teaching an investigator named Cody before I got here. He has a baptismal date for the 19th of December. That is exciting! I had nothing to do with it but I'm along for the ride.

All in all it was a pretty decent week!  I'll talk to you next week!

-- Cooper

Moving On!

The District

This week was good. We worked a lot doing service, so that was great! There is a couple that is moving out; they have a big house and they're going into a little one. They're both older and have health issues. So we went a couple days this week and spent time pulling boxes out, going through them, and then helping them throw stuff away. Honestly, we probably spent half the time just watching them argue. Ha-ha! Not like mean argue, but the old, cute argue where he is just playing dumb and she is about ready to beat the stupid out of him! We laughed and told Brother Taylor that its a good thing his wife doesn't curse or he would really get an earfull! It was good just to be with people.

We also had a specialized training with President Gerber. Right afterwards, we went and had dinner with Vicky. She is so great! Too bad she isn't Mormon, yet! She could use the peace that we have. She has part of it, but we could double it, if not triple it!

Brother Gleason, one of my favorites!

So I'm getting transferred! I'm excited but sad. It's so weird. I wanted to leave but I love the people here and it's hard to leave them. Elder Dev said he would take care of them for me though. That's a plus!

Yesterday I went to say good-bye to Sister Cole, the Relief Society President. She said after we had talked last week, she knew I would be transferred. She seemed disappointed. She told me to stop moping and get it in gear! Ha-ha! She is really great! I'm pumped to see where I go next. Hopefully I get a good companion. I feel like I did what I needed to here. The ward is doing so much better. They are working on a mission plan and doing splits. I honestly think it's because of all of the prayers of  us missionaries that has helped it along. It's so good to see!

I'm going on another adventure! Wish me luck!!

Love,
    Cooper

The Henderson Family

FBI Elders

This last week was dull but full of laughter as we tried to focus on our finding! That pretty much sums it all up...in a pretty little sentence! We really didn't have a lot to do but the weather was great! We had a week in the 70's and one day in the low 80's. It was so nice get the chill out of our bones. We even had to crack out the short sleeve shirts again! With fall being here, we helped a couple rake their leaves. We got to use a leaf blower--that is the first time I have used a leaf blower to actually clean up leaves! ha-ha Chicken coop clean up is nasty! Leaves were a lot better! The couple was so grateful! It's amazing to me that such little acts mean so much to people.

We also go to meet with Micheal. We are going to have to drop him--if we can see him again. We have been trying to help him stop smoking but the desire and determination just don't seem to be there. We were over and there was a pack of cigarettes sitting out. I had already walked off with one of his lighters previously so I thought "what the heck!" Elder Dev covered me and I walked out with a carton of smokes. Well, we got in the car and I realized we had walked out with a little more than cigarettes! Thanks to Elder Oviatt, I have a nose for weed and our car stunk of it! We had just walked out with his weed! We flushed it down the toilet to the hell hole where it belonged! We feel like FBI agents!  ha-ha We called Michael's mom trying to get a hold of him after he stood us up. She said that she wants him back in prison and that he has been lying to us. She talked with us for like 30 minutes about it. So if we can, we will drop him in person. If not, we will just not see him again. That was the most exciting part of the whole week!

Sunday was the primary program. I loved it! The spirit was so strong and they sang some of my favorite songs!

Sorry I didn't email yesterday. We had been asked to help a member move his daughter and put it all in a storage unit. We did our laundry during studies, well as we did studies. Then we drove to the church at 10:15. We got home at 5:30. P-day ends at 6. So we are taking p-day today! It was good to work. I just wish that they were more organized. We fit an entire house into a 10 by 10 storage unit! Mormon Movers! ha-ha We could make a lot of money out here but at home we have too many members!

Elder Dev is awesome! He is always laughing--like non-stop sometimes. I laugh just watching him laugh! He is a godsend! We aren't to sure what will happen this weekend with transfers. Dev feels like he is moving on. I kind of want to leave. We were talking to Sister Cole about it. I said that I kind of wanted to leave and dang! She rebuked me! I said something about new missionaries getting in here that have more faith something like that she called me out! "You're giving up, aren't you?" I was like, "no." She looked me right in the eye and said, "You are! You snap out of this right now! Satan is doing the happy dance and God should be!" So I am torn. Whether I stay or not, it's in God's hand.  I think Elder Dev might leave though. Transfers are this Saturday. We'll find out then and be able to tell you next week what is happening!

Love you!
   Cooper

Enjoying a Change

So some big changes happened this week. Last Monday we got a call from President Gerber and he said to have Elder Thomas pack his bags--he would be moving. He's in  North Shores right now with Elder Hyrum Stonehocker (he went to school with me) and one other elder!

My new companion is Elder Dev he's from California but was born and raised in New Zealand. He is so great! He loves to laugh, which is great! They say that laughter is the best medicine and I needed it! I was sick of knocking doors (I still am) but the good thing is that we have a lot to laugh about! We met this old guy named Bob this past week. He is old and crotchety! He came out and started telling us how Santa has better game than God. Santa brings presents and God gives people cancer and kicks the crap out of them. I was getting frustrated at him. The geezer just wouldn't listen! Then I looked at Elder Dev. He was just laughing! ha-ha There went all the frustration.

Bob told us that he has told all of his bowling buddies that if he falls over just to keep him alive long enough to give his organs to some one that God screwed. He's going to get a surprise when he gets to the other side, that's for sure!

We also saw Micheal. He's doing good. He said that he hasn't done meth since we last saw him but he's picked smoking back up. We asked him why he wanted to be baptized--he already had been baptized (looking for his interest level). He said, "Well, I've been told that the Church of Jesus Christ is the only church that has the authority to baptize and it will bring me closer to God." So he gets it! It's just going to be his level of desire that will hold him back. Other than that, it was a slow week.

We are rebuilding and trying to be more effective because knocking doors doesn't cut it. Wish us luck!

Love,
    Cooper

Crushed but Hopeful

This was just one of those weeks! We did almost nothing--it felt like. Steven dropped us! He came to church last Sunday and we didn't hear from him. We texted him to follow up and see how everything was going. He didn't answer us right away--not a big deal. Then the next day, we got like 10 huge texts telling us why Mormonism is wrong and these 12 questions are what is stopping him from believing. Bla bla bla. I was so crushed! I had such a spiritual experience fasting for him! There is no doubt in my mind, that if he had just kept his commitments, that the Lord would have made good on our promise to him. Talk about a bummer! We said that we could answer the questions he had. He said that he was satisfied with his faith. I know for a fact that God would have answered him! It was his choice to drop us. It just doesn't make the pain go away. Other than that we had a pretty bland week.

We had interviews on Thursday, which were pretty good. I didn't get as much time with President as I wanted but it was still great to see him. Saturday we helped do a clothes drive in Flint. That was fun. We got to see Elder Meldrum and a couple other elders that I love, so I was happy. We did help some people in our ward move. They were being evicted--even though there was a federal hold on it. It was probably the saddest move ever! There was so much that was ruined and lost in the hustle!

We had stake conference this weekend and I really enjoyed it. They talked about councils and they told a story about when Elder Bednar (I think) was just put in the Quorum of the Twelve. There was meeting and the brethren were having a "vigorous" discussion about something. Some one passed Elder Bednar a note. It read: "Welcome to the Twelve where we play hard ball. Signed, President Packer." I just thought that was funny.

Hopefully this week goes better. We have a potential investigator that we are seeing tomorrow at 2 named Kim. She just lost some one close to her so it's a prefect time to tell her how God has a plan for us! Pray for us. We need it!

Thanks for all the prayers you say for me. I know that they help me. This is honestly my hardest transfer. I can say that I have really learned how to pray and to sing praises to my Father in Heaven. I have felt the Spirit and God's quiet hand with me most of the time. These afflictions are "for my gain" as Jacob says in the Book of Mormon.

I hope you have a good week!

Love,
    Cooper

So Blessed

This past week was great! We have been so blessed! We had a pretty alright start. Wednesday we had a zone meeting and it was really weird--Elder Christenson (my MTC companion) and I were the oldest missionaries in the zone. We had a really great meeting. I love to see the other Elders and Sisters and get the chance to talk to them and see how they are. Afterwards, we went on exchanges. Elder Christenson came with me to Grand Blanc. He's a brand new zone leader so we talked and chatted about the zone and our missions from the MTC on and solved the problems we had in the MTC. ha-ha. Then the blessings started.

We went and taught Steven. He had told me last lesson that he really wasn't interested in joining the church, he just wanted to learn about "Mormonism." So this time we went in with no lesson. He had some questions that we answered. Then we talked about getting answers. I can't really remember what lead up to it but we promised him, in the name of the Christ and as his representatives, that if he would read the Book of Mormon every day, pray to know of it's truthfulness and come to church for a month, that he will know of a surety that this is the Lord's kingdom on the earth, that the Book of Mormon is God's word. and Joseph Smith is his prophet. Steven said he would do it and so far he has! He was at church yesterday. He has read and prayed everyday and texts us what he reads and what God  has said to him as he prayed. We invited the ward council to pray and fast with us for him. The Spirit was so strong! I have felt complete peace! He will know. There is no doubt that he will know. The members in ward council could feel it too. What a powerful experience!

I also got to go to the temple this week and it was great. It was a spiritual recharge. Oh Lord my God, when I in awsome wonder consider all the worlds thy hands have made...And when I think that God his son not sparing...then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee. how great thou art... how truly great thou art!

It was a great week to be a missionary!

Love,
   Cooper

Find the one!

This week was like the longest week I have had in a while! We taught six people which is awesome but there were only two that said they would have us back. One of them texted us later that night to tell us that he wasn't interested (or his mom wouldn't let him meet with us).

We did get to teach Steven this week though. It was pretty good. We talked about the Plan of Salvation. He had kind of surprised us and had a couple of his college buddies there. So they were asking questions but it felt like we were in the line of fire a little bit. Steven said that he understood it all. He said he had some issues with the trinity. We talked about it and I couldn't for the life of me think of where in the New Testament it talks about some one seeing God and Christ standing side-by- side. So we got home and I called one of the zone leaders and he told me where it was found. I'm pretty bummed though. Steven was asking where all the proof is and stuff. I don't know how to help him find that. I just know you can find the answer through prayer. It is hard to answer those questions. I fasted for him yesterday. I know that the Book of Mormon has the power to touch his life but he has to really want to know.

Elder Thomas

A miracle that I had this week was I had my prayers answered. I felt really down a couple of day and I was pleading for comfort. I got a letter that warmed my heart! Then the next day I got a call from Elder Meldrum and we go to talk for a while about the good old Dearborn days. So my new companion is Elder Thomas. He's only out here for a couple of transfers to see what a mission is like. Then he'll get a call to see where he is really going to serve. His last companion was Elder Puente, so that's kind of cool. They have some of the same things and I'm just like "No, not again!" We'l have to see how it all works out. I was talking with a some members and we think I'll be in this area until Christmas. Elder Thomas will go home and get his call, so unless they white wash the area again, I'll be here for at least another 12 weeks.

I would like to ask a favor of everyone. Yesterday at church a there was a member that had sat by us last week. This week he was sitting behind us. So I told him to come sit by us--mostly because I wanted some one other than just Elder Thomas to sit by. The man sings good too so it was a double bonus. After sacrament meeting, he thanked me for letting him sit by us. He said that he has a wife and six children (all members). Only a couple of his children are still at home. He is the only one that comes to church and he is returning from about 15 years of  inactivity. He teared up as he talked about how hard it is coming to church and being alone. There were so many members that said hi to him--not one invited him to sit with them. They all know his story. I don't want that to ever happen to anyone again! The pain of that brother should not ever happen in our church but it does. So lets change it! Next week, please find the one and love them!

By the way, I can't wait to eat your cooking again! I'm about ready to try a forty day fast so I don't have to cook anymore!  I hope that this week is good! It's a great day to be a disciple of Jesus!

Love.
    Cooper

It's a Great Day!

So this week was really a good week. We did not do too much tracting and taught a lot more lessons than normal! It was so great!

Michael

We picked up a new investigator named Steven. He's so elect its amazing--such a blessing, truly an answer to all of our prayers. He had some Mormon friends and had talked to them a little about the church. We set up a time to see him this past week and taught him the restoration. He's Catholic but he's not really into it. He said he's trying to make it his own. We answered the questions he had and just invited him to pray about it--that's really how he's going to get the answer. We went back and he had filled out the study help in the back of the pamphlet, which no one ever does--like ever! He had prayed and he said that he felt really good about it. He also had a bad feeling. He said, "One is from God, so I'm going to test the water and find out which one it is!" How sweet is that?!  We gave him a Book of Mormon and invited him to read. We have another lesson with him this Wednesday. He has been reading! I'm so pumped!!

Vicky

Michael has been smoke free for like 5 or 6 days! He's having some withdrawals but that's not a surprise--he's been smoking since he was 8. This week we got to have dinner with Vicky. She's an older lady that we taught the Family Proclamation. She's a christian lady through and through. We helped her set up a garage sale and she had us to dinner to thank us. It was good!  We have been trying to teach her but she hasn't picked up on it yet. She said that she might have us over for dinner again so we can teach a man she knows that Jesus is the Christ and how he needs to be in church. Ha-ha. It was nice and she gave us a hug after!

But the sad part is Elder McCormick is leaving me. I'll be getting a new companion tomorrow but I'm not training, so thats good! I'm still a district leader. Hopefully I get a good, normal guy who I can talk to. It has been a while since I had a hard comp, so we'll see! Thanks for all the prayers of faith! They are starting to pay off! And Conference! Wow! It was great! We had the whole church to ourselves. We had one other person with us Saturday. There were more for the preisthood session and then Sunday morning there were a couple more but that was about it. It was good to hear from the new apostles. I actually had been in a meeting with Elder Rasband in Westland, so that was neat. It's a great day to be a missionary!

I love you. I hope that you have a great week!

Love,
   Cooper

Busy Exchange

Dinner with the Lichtenbergers

This week I got to get out of my area and actually talk with some one other than Elder McCormick! It's such a small thing but it sure is nice to be able to get a breath of fresh air!

I went on exchanges with Elder Bennett. He's one of the zone leaders. He was super fun to be with. He's from Logan, so pretty close to home. We had a long drive to get to his area and then we were running all night! It's so good to be busy and rush from one place to another! We got to teach a lesson at a Family Home Evening at a member's home. The member had invited one of the elder's investigators. It was so cool! He and his wife are from Brazil and his wife doesn't speak any English!

We met this man in our area this week. He was on the "former investigator" list. We went to see him and he wants to be baptized! He just needs to overcome some Word of Wisdom problems first! The first time that we met him, we invited him to pray about October 24th--to see if he felt that he should be baptized on that date. He said he would! It was really good. This week we went for our appointment and he wasn't there. We called--no answer! We were like, "Dang! He's not solid." We got a call Saturday night. He said he had relapsed and done meth. That's why it had been days since we had heard from him. We went and saw him. It was pretty freaky--he was still coming down from his high and was all over the place. Please pray for him. His name is Michael. He can use all the prayers he can get.

We're so excited for Conference to see who the new apostles will be. We have some guesses but we're not sure. I'm just excited to hear what they have to say to us! Get me some revelation!! I hope that you have a good week! I'll tell you what happenes with transfers next Monday. Pray for me! Pray that I'll go where He wants me to go and know what I am to be doing!

Love,
   Cooper

Zone Conference & Elder Lawrence

This week was pretty good. The best part of the week was that we got to have a zone conference with Elder Lawrence of the Quorum of the Seventy!! It was really cool! We drove down to one of the stake centers and they walked in we all go to shake his hand and introduce ourselves to him and his wife. It was a day of learning that's for sure! Sister Lawrence spoke about what it means to be of the House of Israel. That we were the ones that were most likely to become like our Father in Heaven. We were born through special blood lines and how when we, as missionaries, are looking for the elect, we are actually looking for the children of Israel because they have the believing blood.  It was so in depth! I can't even tell you all about it. She talked, too, about how we covenanted, as Priesthood holders, to go on missions in exchange for being born into the Covenant. It was so cool!

Elder Lawrence got up and he said, "You know, this should make you feel better about your work. When people shut the doors on you just think, 'silly gentiles!'" ha-ha  It was funny! He then gave us some advise on becoming a better mission and better missionaries. It was really neat to get to spend time with them. I also love to get to see the other elders that I haven't seen in a while. It was cool--we got to have an interview, every companionship in our zone, with Elder Lawrence. It was short and fast but he told Elder McCormick and I that we had some good things ahead of us. That;s great a promise from a servant of the Lord.

Other than that, this week has been pretty slow.  We did get to talk with more people thankfully. There were a couple people that we hope actually check out the church's web site but none that were ready to take the lessons.

Thanks for your love and support!

Love,
     Cooper

Knocking on Doors

This week was alright, I guess. We did a little better this week than last week. We found a couple more people to teach but none we're really interested. They were just polite and let us talk with them before they continued doing whatever they were doing.

There was a really neat guy that we got to talk to though. His name was Gene. He just lost his job and is really having a hard time. It was really hard to see him. We met him while we were out knocking doors and he broke down in front of us. Then the door opened and his daughter came out. He straightened right up and pretended like there wasn't anything wrong. When she went back inside, the weight of life crushed him again. It was so hard to see that. He was trying to be so strong for his daughter. He told us to make sure that we have and make good friends. We told him that he is always welcome with us. We are his friends. I want to stop back by and check on him again this week. His family is all Protestant and leaders in the church but he needs some gospel light! I hope that he will let us give him some.

I wish that I had more to tell you guys but there really isn't much to tell. We're just trying to get things going and fix the way some things are run in our ward. Please keep praying for us and the people in our area and ward. I know and testify that God hears and answers the humble prayers of his children and we could use them! This next week will be better! Tomorrow we get to meet with Elder Lawrence who's a member of the seventy and President will be there. It's going to be a great start to the week!

I love you! I hope that you have a great week!

  Cooper

Welcome to Grand Blanc!

Wow! What a week. This week was absolutely nuts! So we went to transfer meeting and I got to see my sons (Elder Becker and Elder Oviatt) and my grandson (Elder Oviatt's son) it was pretty neat. My new companion is Elder McCormick. he's from Gilbert Arizona. He's so awesome. I actually feel really unprepared to be out here compared to him. His trainer was Elder Whetzle, one of my past zone leaders, who I loved! And McCormick's just like him! He's got the desire!

I'm in the Grand Blanc Ward--so almost the very farthest north of the mission. I went from the bottom to the top. It was like a 2-hour drive to get here! I am out of the stake I've been in my whole mission. I get to drive 55 again on my country roads. It just makes me want to speed! ha-ha. We got a car to drive up and a brand new phone and apartment. It was neat but it has its challenges--like we don't know anyone, no food in the apartment (I hate Ramen noodles), and we get lost really easy! ha-ha. We have already found some solid people that we have return appointments with this next week, so that's super awesome! We taught more people this week than I have in the longest time. It was so good. Besides the no food and a couple other minor things, I really have no complaints!

The Relief Society president in our ward, Sister Cole, is a return missionary. She reminds me a lot of Mom. She is my new go-to person. She doesn't take crap from anyone and she knows and loves the gospel and lives what she knows. I never wanted to marry a sister missionary but if they were all as consecrated and normal as Sister Cole, I would marry one!

I hope that you have a good week!

Love,
    Cooper

Shaving and Moving On!

My district.

 So the big news is that I'm leaving Riverview and the Wetlands Stake. I'm excited but I already miss Elder Becker and we haven't even separated yet! President Gerber called yesterday and asked that I go and finish someone's training and re-open a new area. Wow! That is going to be a new experience! I'm excited but nervous at the same time...neither of us is going to know where anything is but we'll have to see. Ha-ha It was funny--one of the sisters in my district has been out for like 7 months and I have been her district leader the whole time. She was joking at church that they're just not going to know what to do anymore. It was funny! Hopefully Elder Becker's new companion is cool and relaxed.

This week we did a lot of finding and that was about it. Really. We had one lesson and it was while I was on exchanges so I wasn't even there for it but we had a good time. I got to go to Detroit--like down town, for the day. I felt really uncomfortable--so many people all looking at me. I swear you don't have to go to a circus, just go to the city and you'll see some weird people!

Brother & Sister Lunford

We taught a J.W. while I was there. He was really nice. He, of course, wasn't active at all so it was only like teaching half a J.W. Then I saw this guy and thought I'd be brave and talk to him. So I offered him a card and the next thingI know, He's going off about something. That's when I realized he was crazy! We couldn't get away--he just kept talking. Finally we had to walk off.

Yesterday I went and said good bye to some people that I love. Pray I get a cool comp and a good area. President said that I would like it but you never know!

Cooper

SO real men shave with straight blade razors! My barber shaved the back of my neck when I got my hair cut and they do shaves also. So I was like "that would be awesome to be able to do!" So Becker and I bought the razors and practiced on balloons and the top of our thighs. Today we shaved our faces! It would have been better after a hot shower but we still did really good! Dad I'll be able to shave your face when I get home--best Father's Day gift ever--other than me being home again!
 
           

Our Blah Week

This week was good. Nothing too great happened. I truly think that out of every transfer, there is just a week that you are blah. It's not that you aren't working hard, it's just like you get bogged down a little by the people, the weather, or whatever it may be. This week was our blah week. We had some really good lessons though.

We taught Jenny the Word of Wisdom and she had absolutely no problems with it. I was shocked! She should have something, ha-ha. I was ready for a little bit of push back but it wasn't there. So we committed her to live the Word of Wisdom for one week. This week we will get to follow up with her about it. I sure hope she at least tried to live it. She told us that she has been smoking since she was 9. That is so crazy--she's in her forties! But the grace of God will help her overcome her addiction. She just has to put it on Him and put in the work and it will turn out alright.

We saw Jodi this week. We didn't drop her but that's how it kind of worked out. She just needs time to read and ponder what we have been talking about. She is so stressed with the choices that her daughter is making and other health problems. Ugh! It's just so annoying when you know you have the peace people want all--they have to do is follow our simple commitments!

This week though I had a tender mercy. I was having a hard day and so was Elder Becker. He was taking a nap during dinner and I was just sitting there. I called Gramma Lavley to check our appointment with her and she said, "I feel like I need to tell you this..." and she spoke with the spirit. She comforted me even though she had no clue what was going on. Some day I want to be as close to the spirit as she is. God loves his children but he often uses us to meet their needs and answer their prayers.

Thanks for the letter and the pictures! I'll write you back so don't worry! I miss you. Keep praying for me!  This week is transfers so we'll know next Monday what happens. I'll let you know!

Love
   Cooper

Tender Mercies

This week was a good one. One quote that we have out here is "love the awkward" because that's all that we have! Out here is that "ugh" feeling but we do it and people are blessed because of it. There are some times that you just can't and it almost hurts.

There is a sister missionary who challenged me and Elder Becker (mostly me) to go and try street contacting three times and then report back to her. She said it's such a good way (or at least a different way) to find people to teach instead of knocking on doors. Well we tried once and it was a fail! We couldn't talk to anyone or they just shut us down if we tried. We left pretty beat up. We had a specialized training that was super good. The Spirit was there and I was so blessed! We got home and I was ready to try it again. So we went. It didn't work! Try walking up to some one and talking about something that you know most people would rather not talk about on Sunday and especially not with you!

So we sat down on a bench. I was so tired! Being a missionary stinks some times. So I talked to Heavenly Father. I said, "We are out here. We're trying. Please bless us. The Preach My Gospel Manual says you're preparing people to find us or us to find them--so bring some one to us!" As I ended my prayer, two boys walked up and asked who we were and what we were doing in the park. They sat down and we talked about how the church Jesus had in Bible times was once again on the earth. Talk about a miracle! We walked out feeling on fire! We talked to about 4 more people about the gospel.

AND Jenny, one of our investigators asked us about baptism. She said she wants a full salvation. We taught her the Word of Wisdom today. We are going to see her tomorrow. I hope that she is prepared. It's so exciting! She is the first person I've found and taught that has come this close to baptism! Tender mercies are how Father shows us His love and keeps the darkness from closing in on us.

I hope that you have a good week. Know that I'm always thinking about you.

Love,
   Cooper

The Refiner's Fire

You know how they talk about the refiner's fire?  How, for some metal, you have to really crank the heat so you can get the right temper so the metal will hold it's edge for a lot longer? Well that was our week!  Elder Becker and I must be needed for something really hard in the future! We met like three people that were absolutely nuts or were against the "Mormons" who we actually talked with. We also met a lot of other people who just wouldn't talk to us because we worshipped another Christ?!  I joked that I wasn't going to let Elder Becker pray for us anymore. Every time that he prayed and I felt like we should go somewhere or knock on that door, the people were a little less than pleasant. But if I prayed and Elder Becker followed the promptings, we found really great people--whether or not they were interested! Ha-ha Missionary work at it's finest! That's why we go two-by-two.

We had a really great lesson about baptism with Jenny, Hali and Aaron. We were going to commit them to be baptized and then the whole lesson changed and instead we invited them to church. The next day we gave them a church tour and, as we sat in the chapel,we said that this was a great time to pray and ask our Heavenly Father to answer our prayers because the chapel is a special place. So they took a second. I was praying like crazy that they would feel the Spirit and so was Becker! We asked how they felt.  Aaron said that he had gotten an answer and that he felt the Spirit! Jenny could feel it too, you could tell--she just couldn't describe it.  Hali, on the other hand, said she felt nothing. Bummer! We'll work with her some more--so will God. Sadly, they didn't make it to church. We were so worried when we realized that it was a fast Sunday! Wards out here aren't your typical Utah wards. They have some interesting people and you can never tell what they will say but it was really good. I felt the Spirit and was happy! All in all, another week bites the dust and we're getting closer to dunking some one! ha-ha!

Today at the store we ran into Mama Jan! I was like, "MAMA JAN!!" She came over and chatted with us for a while and caught us up on everything. She said when life slows down she will call us to come over and talk to her. Then, as we were getting ready to part and finish shopping, she said, "well give me a hug." So I got a hug!! I was so happy!! She only shook Becker's hand but I got a hug! It felt good! I was so excited to tell you! I always have something to tell you and then I forget it as I email.

Yesterday we had dinner with the Budds. He's the Bishop that I told you is a Finlinson. We were going to pull the book out and look but we didn't get time to do it, sadly. I still think it's so cool that he and I are related!  It's weird to hear that school is starting and that Clara will be graduated when I get home! I honestly had a hard time recognizing some of my siblings in the pictures you sent in your letter. I felt really bad! They have grown up so much! Dad teaching the girls to fix a flat tire made me laugh! That's a good skill to have. Out here, they have us call some one to do it for us, even if we are Elders because of liability issues and stuff. We're so spoiled and so abused all at the same time.

I hope that you have a good week. I love you so much! I'll be home before we know it and then the girls will wish that I was in Michigan again! ha-ha! Oh well! I'll talk to you next week!

Love,
    Cooper

The Best is Yet to Come

This week was awesome! We didn't have any new people but we got to meet with Jodi. That went really good. She said that she would be baptized if she came to know that what we are sharing is true! It was super great! She still doesn't feel like God has answered her prayer about weather she is His daughter or not. It's kind of frustrating, like why? ugh! It will come...We just have to make sure that she is prepared to get the answer!

We also got to meet with three of our other investigators Jenny, Haley and Aaron. Jenny is Haley's mom and Aaron is Haley's boyfriend. They are cool and are keeping their commitments. Aaron actually knows the Bible really well. We showed him the Beatitudes in 3rd Nephi and he said that he believes the Book of Mormon to be scripture (even if Joseph Smith isn't real) because it has the same principles as the Bible. So that was cool! Please keep praying for our investigators. If their faith isn't sufficient for an answer, I hope that ours is so they get it anyway! No agency for them! ha-ha

I totally forgot to tell you guys that along with my Jehovah Witness Bible (yes, I got another one from the JW's on a door step) and Koran, I now have a Catholic Bible! ha-ha Elder Becker thought that he was going to have a heart attack when I asked a lady for one as we were talking with her. She was like, "Yes, hold on one minute." Then she was bragging about how good it was  Whatever! I just was so happy that I added to the collection!

I found out that I'm related to the bishop of my ward, Bishop Budd! We went over to dinner and his wife looked like one of my cousins (Xochtil). So I asked where her family was from because they are from Utah. She said, "Oh, you wouldn't know where Cedar City is" and I was like, "Yep, I do! It's in the boonies by Oak City." I told her I have a ton of family out there and she was like, "Jake does too." I said, "I'm  a Finlinson." and she was like, "So is he!" How crazy is that?! They even had the family book. I couldn't believe it!  ha-ha  It's the small things that keep life spicy!

We did get to go and clean the temple. It was so great just to be in the Lord's house and feel the Spirit that was there and be in white scrubs! ha-ha That's what I want to wear in Heaven! They were super comfortable! I got to clean the glass around the baptismal font and the doorways. I can proudly say that the marble floors are hand polished--hands and knees, wax on, wax off! It was really cool! I'm glad that I got to go!

Have a great week! I can't wait to get your letters. I miss you all still ha-ha like always! But the best is still yet to come!!

 

Love,

   Cooper

Welcome, Elder Becker

Elder Becker, my German brother and fellow Shelley-ite!

So the new comp is Elder Becker from small town Shelley, Idaho--where they know how to bring boys up right!!! Ha-ha.

I was so stressed getting a new comp and then having to train him! We had meetings from like 8:30 until 11:30 so we would know how to train someone. (It really was more like "realize that this is important and don't screw them up!") So then the new guys walked in and there he was! He is so great! It hasn't been a week and we're already best friends. We like the same stuff and know all the same people--it's perfect! He is hard working and ready to go! Hopefully we can keep that fire alive and burning!  Elder Becker is German and so now everyone thinks I am too. We're the only two elders and the Nazi's of the district! ha-ha!

We got to meet up with Jodi this week. Her 18-year-old daughter was home and actually came out which was a surprise--most kids won't do that but she did! We taught about the Plan of Salvation and challenged them to pray to know they are daughters of God. I got to say the closing prayer and the Spirit was there and Jodi's daughter, Tessa, kind of turned after we said amen and said, "Wow! I'm kinda tearing up." She SO felt the Spirit! Too bad neither of us pointed it out! We didn't even think about it until we were driving home but there is always next time.

Grandma Lavely...she always takes care of me!

Another miracle that happened is that we got a referral. We called to see if we could set up a time and wow, this lady is so ready! She was telling us what has been happening in her life and how she is in an abusive relationship and all this stuff. She had a couple of questions for us and we answered them. She was like, "yes! come and see me please! I need to get back on track." It was so cool. We are meeting with her this next Monday the 27th and are both super excited. A great start to the transfer!

We get to go help clean the Detroit temple tomorrow--hopefully. I have to check with President to make sure. The ward needs some help with it. I sure hope we can go. That would be great!

Well, I love you so much. have a great time at the Summers' reunion and your concert--take some pictures for me. I would love to see it all!  I'll talk to you next week.

Cooper

Desire and Blessings

This week was a week full of blessings! I got to give an instruction at a zone meeting on desire. I was already working on it and had been thinking about it a lot the past couple of weeks anyway. It went so well! I couldn't think of how to do it. I had prayed and fasted so I could understand it for myself and the night before zone conference, it clicked and all made sense! Then I really didn't know what to say at zone meeting! So I took all of my notes and all of the talks I had read with me. Father in Heaven blessed me! The Spirit was so strong! I didn't use the outline that I had prepared at all. It just rolled and things came to my mind. It was a powerful experience!

We went through the week and taught and blessed more peoples' lives than I felt we have in the past three months! I would like you guys to pray for Jodi. She is a new investigator. She has absolutely zero religious background. She didn't even know who Jesus was! So we taught her that God is our Father and he loves us. This week we are going to teach her again and I'm so worried. It's like getting handed a blank sheet and knowing the picture that you have to draw but not knowing where to start. It's cool but so nerve racking!

So for transfers I'll be staying in Riverview and  Elder Puente will be going to a new place. He is really nervous but excited. I'm pumped for him. I feel like he and I have both grown a lot in this transfer together!

With all the stuff that has been going on and being stressed out, I think I am truly starting to get what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. It's so amazing!  President called yesterday night and asked me to train a brand new missionary. He told me I would have to be at the top of my game and teach the new guy obedience, diligence, and spirituality. That's a lot to have laid on you! He asked me if I was up to it. I thought: "God qualifys those he calls." But if you would say some more prayers for me, I would be so thankful! It's going to be a crazy transfer.

I love to hear about your week and what everyone is up to and I love the pictures you send. I miss you guys all so much! I'll be home before I know it! Until then, I just have to keep trucking along!

Yours Always,
     Cooper

This is Lake Erie. We were driving and I saw the ocean for a second--Ha.Ha. ! It's so crazy!

No Soliciting

This area has a lot of trains--like a lot! We got stuck
 for like 30 minutes by this train...it just stopped. Ugh!

This week was a great week. We saw so many miracles! We just put our heads down and started to teach people! We taught 5 other lessons which isn't a lot but we normally only have like 2 or maybe 3 on a normal week--if we are really lucky. It's been so great! We have some new investigators named Jenny and her daughter Haley. They are so solid! Jenny said that it was weird we showed up when we did because she had looked up the Book of Mormon two weeks before because she heard Mormons are the best people. It was so great! We have an appointment with them tomorrow. I'm thrilled!

This week we had a guy who came out to yell at us about no soliciting and he pointed to the glass next to the door and asked if we could read the sign. Well, there wasn't a sign there, so we told him that. He was so confused--the sign was above his head. We were like, "um, sir, it's right there." Needless to say, he looked pretty dumb. We laughed so hard about that for the rest of the week. I've been out for a year and this week was the first time that I have ever been called a cult on the door. I couldn't believe it. The lady said that right to our face. She really didn't like us--must have had a lesson about the Mormons from her pastor. ha-ha! All in all, a really good week.

It's a sad day! I bought this shampoo on July 1, 2014. It lasted
a whole year with me showering every day. Good-bye, Old Friend!

To celebrate the 4th of July all we did was knock doors, which was fine--we got a good tan from it! But, of course, everyone was either gone or busy. We couldn't see any fireworks but we heard the boom and stuff. It was not the same as last year that's for sure. This week is the last week of the transfer. This Saturday we'll see who leaves and who stays. I'm ready to be back on my bike but I'll let you know next week!

I know you are praying for me. Know that I love you guys.  Know that I'm doing well and I'm doing what's right.

Love,
  Cooper

Life Goes On

This week was good. We had a pretty slow week. We found a lot of potentials though on Thursday--like 5 new people! Hopefully some of them are prepared, ha-ha! You know you are having a good day when you get some jerk trying to tell you that you are doing a great work but for the wrong people! That the Book of Mormon is a load of trash and we shouldn't believe in it.

Life goes on! Hopefully we have some more great experiences this week!

Love,
  Cooper

Servant of the Lord

This week was good. We had to had a zone conference on Thursday. It was a weird one because we were combined with another zone. Normally it was just one zone at a time but this time a representative from Salt Lake was there to look at the cars. They put a black box in so they can "help" us drive safe. ha-ha  Because it was a two-zone conference, I got to see Elder Oviatt again. I miss that guy. I would be his comp again any day! Other than that, I just got to work this week--like actual manual labor! We mowed lawns almost all day on Tuesday. I was so happy! I miss working!

We got a new investigator. She was taught by elders before us and is so ready to get dunked. She has a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Joseph Smith. She said she considers herself a Mormon. She has some health problems--that's why the elders stopped seeing her. It's so good to actually find some one who is ready and prepared! Her name is Falisha Angel. Keep her in your prayers! Other than that not to much has been happening.

I thank Dad for teaching me how to be. Yesterday we got a phone call this lady in our ward. Her name is Sister Lavely. She is my adopted grandmother. She is as sweet as Verla and has been tested more than Marva. She is a saint! She doesn't have grandchildren and wants them, so I told her I'll be hers...so it's official! She called yesterday. We had some heavy rains come in and had flash flood warnings. Her yard was flooded and the rain was starting to get into the house. She called us in tears asking for help. I ended the lesson and we went to help her. Thank you for teaching me how to work hard! We did our best. I dug a huge hole in the yard and got some of the water to go down. Finally she told us to stop and said, "we will say a prayer and leave it." So we did.  I got to give that prayer. What an honor! It was such a blessing! I have never been so proud of blisters before! That is what being a servant of the Lord is all about right there! She just kept telling us how sorry she was that we were working on a Sunday. Dad and I put tarps on Marva's roof on a Sunday because she was getting rained on. You taught me how to drop everything to help people and love them. Thank you for that!

I hope that you have a great day! Know that I wear our name with pride!

Love,
   Cooper

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter is the best medicine and also the fuel of missionary work. If you can't laugh, I suggest you get a sense of humor or go home. This week was one of those long ones but there was some good that came out of it.

In Michigan the girls haven't heard of the modesty commandment so they dress less.  ha-ha! We knocked on this lady's door--she was very attractive, wearing very short shorts and not much of a shirt. It was Elder Puente's turn to talk so I let him. He did super good--normally he falters on the door, especially if it's some one who's pretty but this time he didn't. He said, "Hey, can we talk to your parents?" What he didn't notice was that she was wearing a wedding ring and she had a small boy behind her. She smiled and told him that it was her home. He died! After I got control of myself (I was holding it in so well) I told her we were out talking about eternal families. She wasn't interested. ha-ha  It still kills me to think of the look on his face after she said that!

We got to walk through a car show on Saturday in New Boston. There were probably 80 cars or so. It was really cool. I felt like Moses parting the people though. I guess guys in shirts, ties and tags-- no matter how you smile--still scare people! A lady let me take a look at her brand new Chrysler 300. I decided that is the car for me!

This week we knocked a lot of doors and had almost zero lessons. Not a whole lot to report on the missionary work but hopefully next week is better!

Thank you for your letters. I hope you have a good week.

Love,
     Cooper

Detroit Temple Trip

My companion Elder Puente

 This week was busy--not too much missionary stuff, just other things. I'm staying with Elder Puente for another six weeks here. We got the call Saturday night after we went to the adult session of stake conference. I've decided that the Westland Michigan Stake is my home stake now. I love the stake president. I can feel how much he loves the people. He is funny and normal. His topic was ward council and he did a great job. He closed off the meeting and made it worth while! I want to stay in this stake until I end my mission. I don't want to move out! Hopefully God keeps me here!

This week I got to go to the temple for my year trip. It was good. There were nine missionaries plus President and Sister Gerber so it was great. The Detroit temple was so pretty but so small compared to the temples that I'm used to back in the holy land ha-ha. After the session we went to the mission home and ate lunch. Then President Gerber gave us some instruction and talked about what kind of impression we want to leave on the mission. It was really good. I could sit and talk to that man all day!

I just came from the hospital. Someone called for a blessing and we went. I prayed before so that I could have the spirit. I about broke down in the parking lot! I don't know why, I just felt all teary. I felt like something cool about to happen. Elder Puente anointed and I gave the man a blessing. I stood in the place of God today! I told that man he would be well because of the faith of his children. He was in ICU, on a ventilator, and covered in tubes. I felt like I said what I said  just because I've thought that it would be cool to say that with so much power, you know--just a cool thing to say. Well, the spirit let me know that I had said what I was suppose to say. Wow! Talk about awesome! That was the most spiritual experience that happened this week!

Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.  I hope that you have a good day!

Love, 

  Cooper

Happy Memorial Day

Since we have a family history center we can email today, thankfully! We celebrated Memorial Day with music that was normal. I loved it! Ha-ha I'm so going to be a rocker when I get home--not the new rock but the old stuff! We also had a burger at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, thanks to you!

Well this week was a lot of nothingness--really, at least that's what our numbers show! But like I said before, I'm going to look for the positives! On Tuesday we met Mama Jan. She is a baptist lady. She wasn't interested in the gospel but I walked away in tears. There are angels all around us and she is one of them! We talked to her for about an hour and a half about her family and about life and stuff. She gave my companion a hug when we left (he was freaking out and I was jealous!). Her boy is our age and has a 3 month old baby. He is living with his girlfriend and her mom in Florida. She saw her son in us and was in tears. She just misses her boy. She told us if we need anything to come to her and she'll be our mom. Talk about awesome! I felt like my companion missed it and I was fighting tears. As we were just about to go, she said she didn't know what to say to us. I smiled and said, "We love you too." That was a tender mercy if I've ever had one. I can honestly drive you to every person's house out here that has made me feel loved like that. I will never be able to forget how they made me feel.

We also got to meet a gospel singer for a church.  Chuck was really cool. We got one of his CDs. It was disappointing. It wasn't like Christian rock, but it's growing on me. There were a couple other people that we got to spend some time with. My feeling is that even if they won't talk about Jesus and church with us, if they just talk with us long enough they will be able to feel the spirit that is with us. That is my latest philosophy anyway. Oh and I was listening to a talk by Elder Cook about having a hard time and it hit me! We have to pray always if we want to have a good relationship with Father in Heaven. Otherwise, we only cry to him when we need help and no father wants that to be the only relationship they have with their child.

Our teaching pool is like almost at zero but i'm not to bugged by it. Transfer calls are this Saturday. I am in between. I would love to go, but I'm okay with staying. I would love a new companion but I could do another transfer if that's what needs to happen. This district is okay. My last district was so awesome--the best district I will probably ever be in, I'm sure! There are two sets of sisters and then just me and my companion for the elders. One companionship of sisters is sweet! One of the sisters is going home this transfer. She is the one that has been in my district for 6 months and my right arm. I'm sad to see her go but i'll get over it, I guess. Her companion is super cool. The other companionship of sisters has another sister from my last district. She is really new still and her companion is a rule person. It's kind of hard for me. She is doing good but I feel bad for her. I don't want her companion to take that fun from her, if you know what I mean. We need normal sisters!

I'll tell you what happens with transfers next week!

Love,
   Cooper

Life is Good!

We had a lot of really neat miracles this week. I decided to switch my focus, It's really hard to work and have faith that God is going to give you blessings when you don't feel like you are getting any. So I decided that I was just going to talk to people about whatever. It actually helped. I still get really burned out knocking doors, hour after hour, but I find cool people to talk to. This week I talked to an Atheist for a good half-hour about his old cars. He didn't want to talk about Jesus but in the end we did talk a little about Him, so that was good. It is the little things that I'm striving to look for. And then when we get in at night, I'll write them down in my planner for that day so I can't forget. It's a slow process of change. I still get moody after knocking on doors too long but it's changing slowly. It's almost like a game now.

We actually found a really cool guy named Dave. We have a lesson with him tomorrow. He suffers from depression and had made some bad choices so he lost his little girl and his ex-wife won't let him see her. He is sufficiently humbled, I hope. And then we met a teacher on that same street. She pretty much explained the restoration down to the apostles' death but she didn't know what happened after that. So we gave her a pamphlet and said it would answer her question. She didn't want to end on a bad note, so we left. I am so going back there to see her again this week some time! A pretty good week--hopefully this next one is even better!

Life is good. The ward is okay. I love some people and that is about all I know. I really don't know anyone very well-- no one close to Brother Pengelli! I have found some really great old people to love, so I can't complain (except they aren't in my area, which is the shaft!) Finding is hard but it isn't suppose to be easy, I guess. Where would the fun be in that?!

I hope that you have a good week. Talk to you soon!

Love,
   Cooper

The smoulder,

The crazy,

The haircut!

A Visit to Belle Isle

This week was good but really crazy! It was one of those weeks where there wasn't a whole lot of work that got done but we were super ready for p-day! Sadly, Elder Mwawatadi had to go home. He was in my district in Dearborn for a while. I guess he has been struggling with his health since he came to the states. (He is from Africa.) He is home now recovering and when he is better, he can resubmit his papers and finish his mission. So it's just me and the other guy now which is okay but it feels like there is something missing. Weird that after only a week you can feel the hole that is there.

On Thursday I got to spend the day at Belle Isle while my companion was at temple. It was really fun! I was with Elder Warner and another guy. I know that I didn't always like Warner when I was with him but we still had some good times together. I felt bad for the third-wheel elder that day. Warner and I were comps so we still had all of our old jokes and stuff to catch up on. The other elder was just there. We had fun! We got to take some cool pictures of some ocean liners coming in and there is a light house on the island--not a real tall one, but still a cool thing.

Then the rest of the week my companion and I tried to stay busy. We had a good talk with a guy we found the other day. He has the gospel almost all the way down but he is still missing parts. Hopefully he is opens up and talks to us and can feel the Spirit. His name is Will. Yesterday I got to talk to a guy and joke about smoking dope and stuff. We just knocked into him. I commented to my companion that I have an easier time talking and being around people that smoke and drink and are normal than with people that are really religious......The silence was super thick! ha.ha. But it's the truth. We also got to see one of the cutest old couples ever! They were at the hospital. The husband was having some stints put in. They were exactly what I want to be like after 70 years of being married! All in all, a great week!

For Mothers' Day we are planning on skyping from a member's home. I'm not sure what time yet but I'll let you know. I am so excited to see you guys! I wish I could fast-forward this week and see you already! I love you and hope that you have a great week. We'll see you on Sunday!

Love,
    Cooper

Riverview Ward -- Trenton, MI

115 frogs Elder Meldrum and I caught one night just for the fun of it!

I got my new companions this past Tuesday. Tomorrow I will have been in the area for a week. The big move was so stressfull!  We packed the whole apartment up and moved it all to the other elders' apartment (where elder Meldrum is, so he had all the food and things that he needed). We stayed there for the night. The next day, me and an elder going home got dressed and headed into transfers. The elder had an early meeting and I had to drop off the car. I shuttled the other cars back to the mission office while I waited for transfers to start.

Transfers was pretty good. It was so crazy! As people's names get called, they get up and walk out. You just keep waiting for your name to be called. I was the last one to get called and then I looked around and I had no companion! I'm in Riverview Ward now and instead of one companion, I have two! So that is a huge change. They are both good guys and love the Lord so they should be easy to get along with. My one companion is a really foreign guy. He is a good guy but having a lot of problems and might be going home. We are suppose to get the call today to know what happens. The other is a really smart guy who follows the rules to the T-- like crazy! It's a good thing but going from a really relaxed companion to these guys is a big change.The area is a lot like Northville--big homes and white people. I kind of miss my ghetto. I made that my home and now I get to start over again. The joke is that once you are comfortable God moves you again. I guess I have something to learn or some one to teach here. We have found a couple new people to teach--a great start to the transfer. We have a young man with a date for baptism this transfer. It sounds like there could be a lot of baptisms in our ward. I'm excited about that! Please pray that I can endure my new place well!

You know it's been a long hard winter though when you are sitting on the couch and you see a spot on your arm. You are trying to get it off when you realize it's a freckle and you can't remember seeing it before! I laughed so hard at myself! All in all, it was a good week!

I hope that you have a great week!

Love,
  Cooper

The Pengelli family, one of the coolest in the ward!

Marlen Gaddis--the biggest teddy bear ever!

Feeling the Love

This week has been really good and hard at the same time! We have been getting the apartment all ready to move for the last couple of weeks but it's still hard because we have to live there and get ourselves ready for the transfer.

So I'm going to go to a new area. I'm super pumped to leave but yesterday was so hard. This whole time I had the goal to make this ward love me. I decided it wasn't possible to get them to love me so I stopped really fast with that dream. Then yesterday at church I had to say goodbye to people that I have worked with for the last four and a half months and I hated it! I didn't realize how close we had gotten. I thought that my glass had been empty this whole time. There were so many people that I got to tell I loved them it was crazy! I felt the love! It was so hard I almost wanted to stay and not leave but that isn't the plan for me.

Besides the move and getting everything ready with the apartment, we didn't have a whole lot of other neat things happen. We did find the "Tarzan" sound track which was an answer to our prayers! We searched for that thing for stinking ever and the Salvation Army, of all places, is where we found it! Small and simple things make life worth while!

I hope that you have a great week. I'll let you know what had happens with transfers this next Monday!

Love,
  Cooper

Another Day in Paradise

Standing at the River Rouge, the eastern boundary of our area.

I was so thrilled to hear that you got your kittens! I've spent hours on my knees worried that the cat wouldn't be able to have them but I guess that they all came out the end...literally (ha. ha. Spirit-to-naughty all in one big run-on sentence).

So we got a phone call this week and we are not going to be getting a new home. They couldn't find anything at all--like anything! So they are taking care of it at transfers. That means the area is closing down. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! The junk that missionaries keep is so dumb! No, we don't need a printer! We can't even get on-line to print things off, ha-ha. We have the whole apartment pretty much packed. We still have to wait until Saturday to see who's going where and what's going to happen. The district is pretty sure that I'm gone. I guess we'll see what God thinks about that.

We had a freak storm the other day. I was on exchanges and this storm came in. It was raining so hard I couldn't see the road to drive. Then we got a call from my companion. The zone leaders had called and they wanted us to tell everyone to go in for the night, ASAP! It was going to be a bad storm! Well, I was in it! The lighting hit so close to the car that we felt the shock go through us. It was so crazy! We were freaking out but we are still here, so it's a good story.

Remember Paul,the guy that I told I wouldn't eat meat? Well, he didn't pan out. Sadly he wasn't ready for the gospel. He was nice to us, he just didn't keep the commitments and stuff so we had to drop him. We had a couple other lessons, so that was good. Another week in paradise!

Sounds like you had a pretty good turn out for Ute's Eagle Court of Honor. That is really neat that all the people came! I think that it was cool that Clara got to be recognized too! I can't believe that you read my letter! I thought that for sure you were going to ask me today to send a different one--one that was more personal. I'm so glad that it work out though! It brought tears to my eyes that Ute   thought enough of me to give me his mentors pin even after all those beatings! I really must have beat all his brains out or at least his memory. Ha.Ha.

I hope that you have a great week. I'll let you know what happens with transfers next week and remember that a dream is a wish your heart makes. I'll be home for dinner soon!

Love you,
   Cooper