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