Goodbye President Gerber

Slowly but surely! This week was pretty slow for us--it flew by but I feel like we got nothing done.  ha-ha. We saw the girls. They still haven't been to church--week three now! I'm starting to get a little frustrated with their mom, like I have mentioned. May this be a lesson to everyone: If you want peace and happiness and power to overcome, here is the key: obedience! That's it! Cut and dry! All  the worries of life will still be there but you will have the all the Creator of Heaven and Earth on your side! You cannot fail!! I wish she would just try and understand that and live it! She would find the peace that I know she needs.

Elder Abbott, my companion

We also got to see Jannett. (She's the older lady in the nursing home.) She was so happy to see us. It was just great. I'm tearing up thinking about it! She is so lonely and afraid. She told us her oldest son isn't coming to see her anymore. He told her that he needs a break from her. I hurt for her but you can tell she feels the spirit when we come. I've learned that it really doesn't matter what I say to people. It's how they feel that matters. The Spirit they feel is different and they are unfamiliar with it. That is what interests people.

We had a zone conference this week. It was the Gerbers (and my) last one. It was good to see everyone. The Gerbers talked about the next president and his wife. He invited the Elders and Sisters to pray to know if he was called by God. I already know he is. I sure hope the missionaries that stay here will feel that. It was a powerful conference.

 I had my finally interview with President. It was so nice. I felt the love and the Spirit was so strong! I felt physically tired afterwards--that's how strong it was. We just talked about me, the spirit of the law and how I cannot compromise at all. I felt a little offended that he would talk about that but as we talked I could see that he was worried about me and who I needed to be for the Lord to work through me. It was tender. We talked also talked about what my plans are. What I want, not what the church or you want for me but what I want for me. I shared how I felt and I think he understood. We had some great conversations, We shared a special moment after talking about life and stuff . I told him I appreciated what he does and he said the same. He thanked me for coming on my mission. I told him I was grateful he let me stay and he teared up. He thanked me for staying and giving up my life to be here. "It's just what we do," was what I replied and he understood. What a wonderful man! He is a new role model for me for sure!

It was a good week and were going to make this one good to. Who knew that you could love as deep as this! I was thinking about it...as much as I have missed you and the family, that is how much I'm going to miss these people! Two years ago I didn't think I would ever feel this was. Crazy how God works!

--Cooper

Road Kill Turkey

Me and Elders Barrett and Birschback from my district.

This week was pretty good...ha-ha...the regular to-do's of mission life! We had a really good lesson

with the older ladies in the nursing home--just short and sweet. The friend of the member, Janette, was doing so much better and she was so happy to see us. She began to cry as she told us that she just had this feeling swell in her when we had come.  We smiled and told her that it was the Spirit. She's not physically strong enough to take the lessons yet but she told us she would do anything. She just wants to learn. It's great to find and be a part of the lessons with some one who actually wants to know.

Turkey damage to the bumper!

Elder Abbott finally got to meet our ward mission leader. He has been out of town for the last two weeks. Nothing too fun there. I honestly hate those meetings. They're pointless but we do it anyway. I hate doing what others tell me to do but I would love to see some one put something on the table.  "Elders," they would say, "these are the appointments I've got lined up for you this next week." Instead of "What did you do this week? What can I do next week to help you? I want to be engaged." Blah blah, whatever. But on the ride home I pegged a turkey with the car! Slammed it! ha-ha. It ran out after it had already made up it's mind not to run--or so I thought. Everyone said that I should have taken ir home. I was like, "Nope! I followed the driver's ed course--just hit it and don't stop!" Why that turkey crossed the road, we will never know. He didn't make it! ha ha.

From the ward bulletin. I felt the love!

Please pray for my girls. Their Mom has stopped bringing them to church. It breaks my heart. I'd move back just so I could take them but the members here are all willing. Their mom just has to get the picture! I just don't know how to help her get it. She won't give up her lifestyle. "I'm not ready to jump all the way in yet," she says. It's beginning to affect her girls and that's not alright by me! Just pray with me!

It was a pretty good week. We got to be instruments in the hand of God. Can't beat that! We also toured the huge old church in town very cool, not Mormon. ha-ha.

Love,

   Cooper

Retrospect

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!

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!

--Cooper

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

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

Miracles

I don't know what happened with our ward but it has changed. We had three lessons with members last week. That's more than the last transfer combined! It was just great! We had a member I knew from Walled Lake call and go with us to teach her friend. It was a bad lesson. The lady had agreed to take a lesson so she could get help with some work stuff. She really didn't feel it but we still got to go and teach, which was good.

Then we did some service for a lady. Her home teacher took us. She had some friends over to help her get packed (she's trying to move). When we went to give a message, she told us we should go to the kitchen "there are more ears there."  We did the nail lesson. They are older and were awed! ha-ha It was cool. The member that took us, he and his wife teach seminary. They had a funeral to go to and didn't have a sub. So we taught seminary Thursday and Friday and today. It starts at 6:10 a.m. Let me tell you! We got up at 5:30 a.m. to go over there. That little bit makes so much of a difference!  We came home, did personal study, tried to do comp study, and then took a nap! The kids were super cool! Today we had a high of 9. There are kids in seminary that don't even come to church! It was so great!

We taught the girls about the temple. They are so pumped to go there some day. They are so converted! The week before last, they were in Florida. We went to church and I didn't realize they were there. They came in late and sat by themselves. This week they came and sat with us. It was sweet! They are just little lights in the ward.

We had a couple super cool thing happen. We got a referral to go see this lady and her husband. We went stopped by but they weren't home. We called and the woman was so nice to us. Her husband was in a nursing home. We said we would call in two weeks so we could check in and meet them when he was better. We called the man who gave us the referral, his name was Peter Jensen (I thought of Pete, but it wasn't him--I asked). Peter said that the man wouldn't be coming home with his wife. He had a week to live. He was dying of cancer. I felt so bad! She didn't even let on! We sent some elders to see them--the nursing home wasn't in our mission.

On Saturday were were doing service for a member's non-member daughter. She's moving into her parents' basement to help take care of them. We were with her when we got the call that the man had passed. I don't know them. I've never seen them. But I hurt for them. Lisa, the woman we were moving, was lost to what we had to do with it all. So, impromptu, we taught maybe the best restoration lesson I've ever felt. We simply explained that we, because of the restoration of the gospel, have all the peace, hope, happiness, and strength that any person could want or need. We have it and we're giving it away for free. This time she got it! She agreed to take the lessons after she was settled in. What a blessing!

It has been cool learning how things feel. Once I was annoyed with a family here in church. This mom was struggling to get her three children to be quiet and settle down. They were distracting from the spirit and I wanted to worship! What an inconvenience to me! Then I looked at the Bishop's face. He was looking at her like she was an angel?! He was so happy to see HER. I pondered on that. Here was a mom, alone, that brought her three kids to church because that's where they needed to be and she had that duty to herself and them. She came alone and has since I can remember. A warrior against the devil for her children! The Bishop loved her like the Savior does. He was so happy to see all the sinners and hypocrites, the trodden down, battle-worn people file through the doors into the chapel to worship and be renewed. It has changed me forever! I now see people in church through his eyes and I know how Christ must see me. Miracles, I'm telling you! I don't pray for hard times, but I learn so much more when I have them.

Have a good week!

-- Cooper