Sometimes the hand of God in our lives is so small we only see it in retrospect. This week we saw a lot of blessings but we felt like it was a bummer of a week. We found two new people to teach. They were referred to us by a member from the other ward. One is the member's friend, Janet. She is really sick and is in a nursing home. She is worried because she hasn't been baptized. We went and gave her a blessing and testified the she is God's daughter and that He loves her. Then her roommate Donna said she would like a blessing too. So we gave her a blessing. You could feel the spirit. It was great and you could tell the the member felt it too. We have another appointment tomorrow with them.
We are taught that we can call down the powers of Heaven and that Father hears our prayers. I know that's true. We did it just yesterday. A member of our ward asked us to pray that her less-active friend would be well enough to come to church. She had been using her illness as an excuse. So we pulled over and prayed. It's so good to have that feeling in your heart--that Heaven and Father, for that moment, stopped for you--to listen and feel that he acknowledges you. I got to shake that sister's hand. She said, "I wasn't going to come. My foot hurt but I came." The little miracles are what have built my testimony and conversion.
Oh and I got to make my first "911" call. We met a guy tripping on acid so we sat and talked. I stepped away and called the cops (felt like a boss, I might add). They came and got him to the hospital. We were in the right place at the right time. It was super neat.
A good week but the best is yet to come!
Monday, May 23, 2016
Monday, May 16, 2016
Last New Companion
This week was good. I dumped Todd. ha-ha, Grandpa Douglas took us down to transfers. He's so great. He and I, just two old timers hanging out. ha-ha. It was cool. He opened up and talked about some things that we really care about. Sister Douglas was surprised that he even talked to me about some of it so it was cool. My new comp is Elder Abbott. He's from Idaho Falls, so pretty close to home. It's been a hard transition. Weird, I know. It's different having some one that laughs and jokes. He's pretty cool. I am still figuring it out.
Nothing too great to talk about this week--just continuing on. We almost got a lady on date. We have taught her twice. Her name is Lisa. She knows it's true. She has had the lessons tons of times. She finally told us her concern. She doesn't think she could be Mormon because she's not perfect and would fail. So we testified of the atonement. She didn't get it quite yet but we'll get there.
I went out last night with the Bishop. We just talked. You would have thought that I was one of his youth getting ready to leave. I could feel his love for me and the people we saw. I can't forget the Lord because he chasteness me so often. I feel like I have been driven to my knees and I am thankful for that now. It has taught me about prayer and love, long suffering, and about being succored. Kinda cool. Thought I'd share.
I'll get you a picture of Abbott next week. Have a good day! Only a couple more weeks!
Nothing too great to talk about this week--just continuing on. We almost got a lady on date. We have taught her twice. Her name is Lisa. She knows it's true. She has had the lessons tons of times. She finally told us her concern. She doesn't think she could be Mormon because she's not perfect and would fail. So we testified of the atonement. She didn't get it quite yet but we'll get there.
I went out last night with the Bishop. We just talked. You would have thought that I was one of his youth getting ready to leave. I could feel his love for me and the people we saw. I can't forget the Lord because he chasteness me so often. I feel like I have been driven to my knees and I am thankful for that now. It has taught me about prayer and love, long suffering, and about being succored. Kinda cool. Thought I'd share.
I'll get you a picture of Abbott next week. Have a good day! Only a couple more weeks!
--Cooper
Monday, May 9, 2016
Staying in Howell
This week was good we didn't have to cook a dinner all week! It's the little things in life that make the biggest difference. At the end of every transfer, the members seem to remember us and all of them want to feed us. It was nice to go and visit with so many of them. I could honestly care less about the food. It could taste like cardboard...if the conversation is good, it's worth it!
We got invited to go and help the other ward with their mutual activity. We helped them wash cars and gave out pass along cards. It was pretty fun. I was with one of the Brighton elders (my favorite one). It was just fun! Mormon members are weird though. Think of sitting in your car getting a free car was and all these people smiling at you and watching you and then them sending two guys in white shirts to your window. Yep, weird! We tried to not be to awkward but one of them just like hovered behind us. Ugh! Get your own investigator, dang it ;)
Something cool: We took a memeber out with us last night. He's fifteen. It makes me tear up just typing about it. He is so converted to the gospel--like more than me or most missionaries. He shared his testimony and how the gospel has changed him. It was such a sweet experience. He would be a Stripling Warrior if it was the Nephite times!
We got transfer calls and I'll be staying here in Howell. I was so shocked!! No one expected me to stay. I was already running through the list of who I needed to say goodbye to and what I was going to leave behind. I'm happy to stay though. Most areas I have been so ready to leave but I think I could stay here for a while. You know--get a new comp every now and again and keep going. I joked with one of the members. He said he was going to tell the mission president I couldn't leave for another couple of years. At church I walked up and said he had better start looking for a house and a wife for me if I'm staying that long. He said he would hook me up!! ha-ha. Pray my new comp is cool! I am praying for that!
Love you guys! I hope you have a great week. You're always in my prayers.
--Cooper
We got invited to go and help the other ward with their mutual activity. We helped them wash cars and gave out pass along cards. It was pretty fun. I was with one of the Brighton elders (my favorite one). It was just fun! Mormon members are weird though. Think of sitting in your car getting a free car was and all these people smiling at you and watching you and then them sending two guys in white shirts to your window. Yep, weird! We tried to not be to awkward but one of them just like hovered behind us. Ugh! Get your own investigator, dang it ;)
Something cool: We took a memeber out with us last night. He's fifteen. It makes me tear up just typing about it. He is so converted to the gospel--like more than me or most missionaries. He shared his testimony and how the gospel has changed him. It was such a sweet experience. He would be a Stripling Warrior if it was the Nephite times!
We got transfer calls and I'll be staying here in Howell. I was so shocked!! No one expected me to stay. I was already running through the list of who I needed to say goodbye to and what I was going to leave behind. I'm happy to stay though. Most areas I have been so ready to leave but I think I could stay here for a while. You know--get a new comp every now and again and keep going. I joked with one of the members. He said he was going to tell the mission president I couldn't leave for another couple of years. At church I walked up and said he had better start looking for a house and a wife for me if I'm staying that long. He said he would hook me up!! ha-ha. Pray my new comp is cool! I am praying for that!
Love you guys! I hope you have a great week. You're always in my prayers.
--Cooper
Monday, May 2, 2016
Humbled
So this week was pretty good. I hate the thought of leaving Howell. We get transfer calls this week and I am praying I get to stay. It's crazy how you can learn to love the people so quickly. We had a good week. Monday I was in a bad mood so the Douglas family took us out to ice cream and dinner to cheer us up! They're so great! I want to have the Elders over just like them. They are our family away from family. Tuesday we took a vacation day and just did service all day. Perfect! I miss just working and I missed Dad a ton! We helped Brother Douglas build a deck. I guess there is a rule missionaries can't use power tools...well, I broke it! Just get out of the way, I'm working here!! ha-ha It was hard. I loved to help but I just wanted my dad! The smell of the wood and Brother Douglas giving me the "I'd-say-something-about-how-you-measured-all-those-boards-a-quarter-inch-too-short-but-you're-not-my-kid" look. It was nice!
Afterwards we went to "The Roost," an antique store down town and helped them reorganize the store. Kim and Jerry are such good people. They own the store and James is the store manager. They just instantly became our friends when we stopped in that first time. It was good. We talked about what we do on missions and stuff--nothing to heavy. Then on Saturday night, we had been asked by the other ward to come and judge their chili cook off. We thought they should have just asked their own elders but whatever. I asked Todd if we had any friends we could invite and Jerry and James came to mind so we texted them. We weren't sure how they would respond--they don't live the morals that God instituted, but we thought we should try anyway. They CAME! and they had a blast! It was so cool! They just hung out with Todd and I and the other elders. I had fun and they had a good time. James had a really bad experience with Mormons before and had this bad feeling. He told Todd that we had totally changed that. Perfect! One heart softened, that's all we can ask for. Pray for them! We would love to pick them up as new investigators!
I talked to President this week--I was his first interview! I had emailed him on Monday and said that I loved him and wanted to sustain him and I covenanted to do so, but I was struggling with some of the new misison rules. We got to interviews, he called me in, and we talked. I feel so bad. I was just stressed and struggling to understand and it turned to anger. Then I just couldn't tell up from down! We had a really good talk and he was so personal about it, telling me how he too struggled and how he had almost weeded himself out of the church a couple times. It was great. He wasn't my leader for a while, we were just friends talking and figuring things out. I saw him as he was--a tired old man trying to do right in God's eyes and keep us all safe, happy, and spirit filled. It was good and I walked away humbled and ready to follow again. ha-ha Some times I'm such a jerk! You'd think I would just follow and know that he's trying to help me. Instead, I fight like he's the devil and throw a tantrum! It's all good now!
I can't wait to talk to you on Mother's day!
Love,
Cooper
Afterwards we went to "The Roost," an antique store down town and helped them reorganize the store. Kim and Jerry are such good people. They own the store and James is the store manager. They just instantly became our friends when we stopped in that first time. It was good. We talked about what we do on missions and stuff--nothing to heavy. Then on Saturday night, we had been asked by the other ward to come and judge their chili cook off. We thought they should have just asked their own elders but whatever. I asked Todd if we had any friends we could invite and Jerry and James came to mind so we texted them. We weren't sure how they would respond--they don't live the morals that God instituted, but we thought we should try anyway. They CAME! and they had a blast! It was so cool! They just hung out with Todd and I and the other elders. I had fun and they had a good time. James had a really bad experience with Mormons before and had this bad feeling. He told Todd that we had totally changed that. Perfect! One heart softened, that's all we can ask for. Pray for them! We would love to pick them up as new investigators!
I talked to President this week--I was his first interview! I had emailed him on Monday and said that I loved him and wanted to sustain him and I covenanted to do so, but I was struggling with some of the new misison rules. We got to interviews, he called me in, and we talked. I feel so bad. I was just stressed and struggling to understand and it turned to anger. Then I just couldn't tell up from down! We had a really good talk and he was so personal about it, telling me how he too struggled and how he had almost weeded himself out of the church a couple times. It was great. He wasn't my leader for a while, we were just friends talking and figuring things out. I saw him as he was--a tired old man trying to do right in God's eyes and keep us all safe, happy, and spirit filled. It was good and I walked away humbled and ready to follow again. ha-ha Some times I'm such a jerk! You'd think I would just follow and know that he's trying to help me. Instead, I fight like he's the devil and throw a tantrum! It's all good now!
I can't wait to talk to you on Mother's day!
Love,
Cooper
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