Fightin' the Fight

When I first came out, I thought that we were coming out to fight the devil and all the evil in the world. But the longer I serve and study, I really feel that it's more about fighting the evil that is in ourselves. If we can empty ourselves of that evil, and tame our own devils, we will make the world a better place one person at a time.

This week was pretty blah. We had a district melt down. You put a bunch of 19 and 20 year old boys in charge and it's bound to happen. It's all about being able to communicate with each other. We got it all solved but it was so tiring. Drama! Drama! Drama! ha-ha.

We had some cool stuff happen. Kim, a lady we met at an antique store (she's the owner) invited us to the grand opening of her new store. She's so cool! She is doing her hobby for a job. I felt so special being invited. We don't ever get to go to stuff like that and it was a personal invite! We couldn't make it--stupid mission boundaries! We are going to see her later this week though and see how it went.

The Lord puts us in places to help others.  Yesterday we had dinner with the whole Douglas family. It was so nice. I felt just like family and that I belonged for a while. We came home and were talking to some of our neighbors. One of the girls always has a nurse with her. She started to have a seizure. I took the dog's leash (they had just gotten back from a walk) and they got her all taken care of. One of the ladies commented about how it was "perfect timing" and "thank heaven that we had come when we did."

It was a pretty good week. We saw a lot of less-active people and members took us to do it. The work is starting to pick up even thought the numbers aren't showing it but they can't record everything! I hope this week goes just as well!

--Cooper

The Girls' Baptism

So this week was a great one! Here in Howell we work hard, and party hard! ha-ha (and sleep hard too!) The girls passed their interview on Thursday night. Man, I was so stressed. We had gone over on Wednesday night and went through all the questions with them. Flawless, as always! They want it and for their righteous desire, they should get it! As we were getting ready to leave one of the girls said, "Don't worry, I will only drink a little coffee when I grow up." I just about died! So we kindly but firmly helped her understand that we had just asked her mom to quit and it has been hard for her so she shouldn't even start. They passed either way!

One of the elders had his year-mark temple trip so we had his comp with us all day. It was great! He's probably my best friend in the whole district so I was happy. It caused some waves with Todd though. I guess it's hard not to be Mom's favorite. We had a good long talk about it Friday and we are getting through it. The rest of this transfer might actually be a lot better. Thursday night some elders, the ones who were at the temple, stayed and chatted a while. They are super cool and I really enjoyed it.

Camryn & Kaylee's Baptism

Saturday I was starting to stress. As always, I hate being dependent on anyone. I had made sure that I wasn't in charge but it all worked out. The girls got baptized! We had been praying for the Spirit to be there so their brother could feel it. We had almost picked Corbin up as a new investigator earlier in the week. Sister Douglas had put his name in the temple and we all were praying. I don't know if he felt it, but I did.

After we got everything cleaned up and went home. I sat down and boom! out like a light! I was so exhausted. It was funny. One of the Douglas kids had told me to stand up straight. One of the sisters from the ward stood up for me. She said that I was tired from the spiritual side--like after a trip to the temple. It was so true! I slept it off! ha-ha. Yesterday the girls were confirmed. It was good. I felt the Spirit strongly again (no nap this time). We also got a new ward mission leader. It was a cool day.

On a mission, we live for days like these! We spend all day looking and nights praying for people to be searching. It was so great to find and help them!

--Cooper

Countdown to Baptism

This week was a tough one...it's up there in the "Big Three" of hard weeks! The work was about the same but when you don't feel mentally or emotionally strong, it's rough. The scripture says "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." For me, most times, it's the flesh is willing and able but my spirit is weary. You don't have to worry about me. I want you to know Father's looking out for me always!

We met with the girls this week. They are so excited! They have the program all planned out for their baptism this weekend. They are so thrilled, and so are we! ha-ha They have their interview on Thursday night. The baptism is Saturday at 11:45. We planned it right after a Primary activity so all the kids will be there and can stay and support. I hope that there is a ton of people there!

The weather stinks! It was pretty warm all week then BOOM! snow and cold for Conference. In the broadcast, Utah was all sunny and warm! ha-ha All the elders in my district are from Utah so I'm the only sane one! They were all thinking of sunny Mormonville! Just kidding! Conference was good. We watched it at the church on Saturday. Sunday we went to the Douglas's house. It was nice just to be home. I thought it was cool. Brother Douglas blessed the food we were eating and he asked that the missionaries would feel comfortable in their home. What a cool thing to ask for! We did feel comfortable--maybe too comfortable! It's nice to be with family--not ours but still, it's as close as we can get!

Only 11 weeks left and counting! ha-ha I'm still working but I'm ready to get some rest. I was born with an old spirit and it's needing some sitting down time! ha-ha

--Cooper

The Savior is Real

The District! My companion, Elder Todd, is on the far right.

Mission life almost never changes--like, at all! It's the same thing over and over. The only thing that changes is the people that you are loving and being with! We got to see all of our people this week. The girls, Kaylee and Camryn are still on date for April 9th. They have come to church three weeks in a row now. Their mom even came this last week. It was so great! They are so pumped for their baptism! The whole ward is starting to get excited about it. Keep praying for them, they will need it!

We also have been working with a girl named Breann. She's almost 17. She's sweet. She is less-active (she and her mom). She has to work a lot and every Sunday but she has such a conversion. It was so great to teach her. She finds out today if her boss will let her change her hours around on Sundays. We have been praying so hard for her to be able to get her schedule changed. The Lord has answered my prayers before. I don't think he will change that now! She had enough faith to ask, so hopefully it all works out for her!

Church yesterday was good. Elder Todd and I spoke in sacrament meeting. It went well. There was supposed to be a guy speaking between us but he didn't show, sadly, so we took the time. I miss home but I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere but there yesterday. It was just great! The Spirit was so strong...as I took the sacrament through the talks, it was awesome! I had been working on my talk....thankfully, all my thoughts came into line. They always seem to do that. I woke up one morning at 4 am so I got up. Then felt sleepy and laid back down but didn't sleep. Man! I just gave my whole talk in my head. It was so great! When I got up to study, I couldn't remember it anymore! ha-ha But it all worked out. I got up and took my time. I felt the Spirit--like goose bumps and chills thrilling through me. I KNOW that my Savior is real. I talked about how we need to know the Savior as a friend not just as some great god that we worship. It was so great.

As for transfers, Todd and I are staying together for one more. I'm happy to not leave Howell just yet. We're just going to hit the pavement! The district is staying the same. One elder that I'm really good friends with goes home tomorrow. That's sad but we are getting a brand new elder to replace him. I hope that he is cool.

--Cooper

No, those aren't clip-ons! I'm a man now and tie my own bow ties!
With Elder Beckstrom

Ready for a Change

This week was pretty fast. I can't really remember anything too exciting that happened. We had exchanges on Tuesday which was nice. They say that you shouldn't do exchanges just to get away from your comp, but hey, we have to go on them anyway! ha. ha. It just worked out and it's nice to have a break from the normal everyday life. One of the elders had a birthday so we "un-celebrated" with him. They don't want us to lose focus with a party, so another elder and I organized an un-party for him! ha. ha. (It's all about that gray area.) It was really great. He had a bummer of a week and it cheered him up. It was his first birthday on the mish so he probably missed home like crazy.

We got to meet with the girls. They are doing so good! Their mom is struggling with life and just having a hard time...being a single mom isn't easy. If you would all pray for Sister Patton that would be sweet! She could use the help! She brought the girls to church yesterday but had to work so she dropped them off and ran. The girls sat with us and ran off to class as soon as the amen was said. ha. ha. It's good to be with people that like to have you with them!

We helped Papa and Gramma Douglas into their new apartment. It was nice. Thanks to Dad for teaching me how to work. I about freaked out at Elder Todd. "Get your hands out of your pockets so you can work! Ugh--Nevermind, just get out of my way! I'll do it!"  ha. ha. I am a Kniffen. What can I say? Thankfully, one of the Douglas boys, Craig, was there. He's Ute's age and I hope Ute is just like him. He's a hard worker and so converted to the gospel I think he could handle a mission right now! He and I figured out how to work around Todd and have him feel like he was working but we are actually doing everything. Ha. Ha.

I have to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday--Easter Sunday! I have been working on my talk but I just don't like it. I was pondering on it yesterday. I laughed and decided I'm trying too hard. I'm just going to get up there and talk--you know use the Spirit and my gift of BS and rock it! No, I'm joking! I just haven't figured out quite what to say. Mom, you and I will be speaking at the same time. How cool is that? Just know that we can cry together! Ha. Ha.

It was a good week. I'm happy it went by fast. This Saturday we get transfer calls. I'm hoping that I stay here for one more. I love it here and I love the people but I would like a new comp... We'll see what God wants. He's the boss!

I love you all!

Cooper

Recharged

So after my fast last week this week was so great! I felt like we had a purpose again. We had a chance to see the girls. I missed them so much! They were so excited to see us! They want to come to church so bad. We talked it over and set a new baptism date for April 9th. Come hell or high water, that's the date! It's amazing to see the change in people. Sister Patton, the girls' mom, got a new job and she has to work some Sundays. We said we would help her any way we could. She called and said she had to work but she would drop the girls off at church before work if we could get them home. What trust she had to put her girls into our hands! They came and we sat with them. They loved church! We are off to a great start!

We also got to see a less-active girl, Breann. She's less-active because she has to work. To find people that want to come back and are willing to do what they need to is so refreshing! Since finding is absolutely the crappiest thing ever, we have started doing member lessons and inviting them to think of one friend that isn't presently participating in the gospel and then start to work with them and we will help them. Its been a hit so far. It's not showing yet but its got people thinking and coming up with names.

So its been a great week. It was so nice to take the sacrament yesterday. By the time Saturday came, I was done--just washed out. I didn't have my spiritual charge anymore. How blessed we are to have the gospel! I'm hoping to stay in Howell for one more transfer (and to get a new comp!). This ward is home to me. Their people are like my family. I have never felt love like this for a ward...people, yes, but a ward, not so much. It's cool. I almost feel like I want to move out here with my family and try and help the ward. It's weird. Charity!

Thanks for all the prayers! Sometimes when something out of the blue happens and a blessing comes, I tell the boys. "There it is! Mom is still praying for me." There isn't anywhere I go that your prayer hasn't already been! Thank you! This has definitely not been the best two years of my life. But it has been the best two years for my life.

--Cooper

Moving Papa

One lesson and one heart softened is our week this week. There is a sister in our ward named Sister Douglas. Her family is so awesome. Her husband is in the bishopric and her kids are all just super awesome.  They are my family--the ones that are taking care of me with Fakahau gone. She called and asked us to come and help move her non-member parents.  That is what we did almost all week!

We started last Saturday. We took all the Elders with us on Monday night. We worked Tuesday all day and Wednesday. What a blessing! Papa (her dad) is kind of crusty but by the end of the week he was so open and kind with us...Sister Douglas was amazed! It was so neat to be apart of it. I felt like one of the grandkids. I honestly don't know either of their names--they are Papa and Gramma. Papa call's me Coop! ha-ha I love it! I ought to correct him but it's not worth it. He pulled me aside and personally thanked me for all that I had done for him--saying it was tenfold of what was required or even asked for. It was so cool! We invited him to church, as grandkids and as friends, because Elder Todd and I are speaking. I thought that it turned him off. He didn't really say anything. Then, as we left, he said he would tell Gramma about Easter Sunday! How awesome is that?!

We taught one lesson to a guy at TJ Maxx. He was super cool. His name is Jay. He asked if I was on a hot date all dressed up (note Todd was not standing with me so it wasn't gay). I told him, "I wished!" We talked about the mission and what we believe. It was cool.

We also had a Zone Conference. President Gerber talked to us about the atonement. It was awesome! I cried, no surprise there! It's hard not to be overwhelmed when I think that for me He died. If I was the only person on Earth, He would have still come to die, to succor me, and be there for me. Like I mentioned, I get to give a talk on Easter Sunday about the atonement.  My hope is that the people I speak to will be able to feel the spirit and know the reality of the Savior and what it means for them. Please pray for me!

Have a great week!

--Cooper