December 9th, 2013

Hi mum!

 Within a day of writing this email I found out some amazing news. First of all is that we're being driven (Elder Gunnell and I) to the London Temple by the Zone Leaders, meaning that we won't have to carry our stuff around everywhere. Next is that you got my letter! I am so happy you did. I didn't mean to withold an email to you last week (I never do) but I am so glad that my letter made it, I was relying on that. Technical problems. I thought you'd like the photo as well I sent in the post. Besides that, we just got a Christmas tree from some members to put up in our flat. We'll be decking the halls after all! What other good news...well, it's great to hear the packages are at the temple now! I'll be picking them up tomorrow!

   Drum roll please....................I literally found out 10 minutes ago that MBALU WAS BAPTISED!!! Remember the woman in Reading who has a million miracles behind her? She's a member now!!!! In the words of Ammon in the book of Alma "my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy". I never knew I could be so happy about that news. So that's something I'll have to write about.

    So the Secret Santa is already up? Did you go to North Star this time for, let's be honest, cookies? I especially enjoy those gingerbread boys. I know what I'll be sending home for Christmas already.

    Ok so last night there was this musical fireside called "Faith: the musical". It was in the chapel and was an attempt to condense the experience of the play into more of an oratorio format. Anyways, it was below my expectations. Elder Gunnell and I laughed a bit afterwards (which is terrible, I know) at the way it was done. The singers, excellent. The composer and director, not so much. It was as if he wanted to make his own musical so he used the story of the Martin handcart company along with Wilford Woodruff's mission to England and put them with some albeit interesting and forgettable songs. We had an investigator there who still enjoyed it. It must have been the Spirit. We'll be seeing her at the Christmas party this weekend.

    Now here's a great story that happened this week. It was cold and dark when we returned from a long day of knocking in Clevedon to Portishead. With the night already upon us, yet it only being 6:30, we still had work to do in sorting out our potential investigators. We knocked on one's door and she said "Hi guys, won't you come in?".

    She had been contacted in the past by the previous comapnionship; once to introduce themselves and another time in the pouring rain, to which she could only give them some hot chocolate. When the Elders first knocked on her door, she'd assumed that they were the infamous Jehovah's Witnesses and thus told them "you wouldn't like me. I'm a nurse. I give blood transfusions." That was funny.

    This time, though, she was available. We went in (seeing that her husband was home) and were led into the living room. She offered us something to drink and we got to introducing myself a little more. After a few minutes she started asking the right questions. We started on the nature of God; who He is, what He's like and such. Being from a Catholic background herself, she had a decent knowledge of the Bible compared to many others in England. Then she asked an inspired question "So, what makes your church different?". That led us right into a conversation about the restoration of the true church of Christ. Then we introduced the Book of Mormon to her and went over some of it's contents. Meanwhile her atheist husband was sitting around, seemingly disinterested yet in reality must have been listening to everything of which we spoke.

    Then came the millionaire question. "If you don't mind me asking such a personal question, how did you find out that this was true?". I then talked about my experience with the Book of Mormon and sincerely told her how I felt the Holy Ghost. And the best 3 words you can ever hear from an investigator, the same words I heard from Mbalu, Linda and others, were said "I believe you". That means that the Spirit was present. I was on cloud nine that evening. She'll be coming to the Christmas party as well on Saturday along with her children. It turns out she was prepared by her oldest daughter who two years ago started talking about God (at age 4) and sparked an interest in her mother once again!

    There are miracles every week. It just takes some more time to reach them in some areas! Love you mum!

Elder Cooper

November 25, 2013

Dear Mum, 

    What a week. It was a testing one for me, that's for sure. They come every now and then. Finding, finding, finding! I was sure shattered (in British that means exhausted) by the end of it. 

     But I'm so thrilled to hear from President that we will be going to the temple this Christmas! Finally we'll be able to see the new temple video!  This will be my first Christmas away from family (not from home though, I remember spending it in Denmark!). I won't open the packages I shouldn't before Christmas though! 

      This last week was Stake Conference in Bristol with a very excited atmosphere, a new stake president was called! That also means that general authorities were present. We had some presidency of the area seventy there who spoke incredible well! One talk by Elder Donaldson went like this: 

     

     "Ok we've got 20 minutes to do a miracle, and I need your help. Will you two elders in the front bring the whiteboard over here? Ok this is what I'm going to do; I'm going to read some passages and ask some questions, and when the Spirit prompts you I want you to get up and write the initials of the person you will reach out to." 

      

       He then proceeded to read various scriptures from 1 Nephi 8 on the tree of life vision. After each group of people was described, he would ask "who do you know that is...?". People started to flood the board. It was REALLY interactive. At the end he said in essence that we would be condemned for not acting on those impressions. 

       

        Elder Dykes spoke afterwards and called up all the missionaries to the front. President Millar was there with us. He told the audience:

     "Look at all these missionaries and find the companionship in your ward. They are YOUR missionaries. Now, I have two elders here who haven't been told of this, but they are going to do this for me. This is the message that your missionaries will tell your nonmember friends. Then a humble french Elder who'd been speaking English for one month total and his St. Louis farm boy companion proceeded in testifying of God, of family, of the Lord's servants, of apostasy, of restoration, and of the Book of Mormon and prayer." It was touching. 

      It softened my heart, I was stiffening from the opposition of the week until that moment. It's amazing to look back on the experiences. At the time some of them one could barely recognise until it had already  happened. 

    This week is zone conference, which means that we'll be traveling down to Poole for a day or two. We might have a thanksgiving there! President Texiera of the area Presidency will be speaking to us. Last time I saw him was on the right hand of the apostle M. Russell Ballard. It was a really great event then! 

   I will be writing a letter this week to you. Probably on the train! Until then, I'll be continuing to find those around us in Clevedon and Portishead. Fun fact Heather: Elder Patrick Kearon (the British seventy who spoke about scorpions in a general conference talk) came from Clevedon. Also, Stanley Thomas, a member here in Portishead, was baptised by Brother Ajax in our ward! Small mormon world! 

     Love you all!

         Elder Cooper

P.S. Watch out for Stan's email to you mother. He's 84 and crazy! As for Heather, I found a British elder about to go home. He's totally awesome. If you want me to do anything let me know. However, he's 20. Your call. 

November 18, 2013

Hi Mum!

    We have seen small miracles this week in Portishead. Certainly finding is the key focus of all our efforts. We have had to talk to everyone! But because of this, we were able to meet a young man named Lewis on the street and have a good lesson with him. Upon scheduling to meet him this last Sunday, we parted ways until then. The miracle was on Saturday. Apparently Lewis is the friend of another street contact named James. Lewis had told James that he had met two American religious guys and was meeting them on Sunday, and James was interested. In his words, "he likes to keep an open mind". So James called us up, asked if he could join on Sunday, and was present for our first lesson. We brought along a member (Brother Harvey) and it seemed as though James was more interested than Lewis! He asked more and more questions, then said he would need to read the Book of Mormon before he could make any conclusions. This gift from God offset most of my disappointment in the long hours of knocking. Elder Gunnell is a good companion to have. We just have to do our shopping separate; we have different tastes! He's from a farm in northern Utah and has been out for 6 months now. 

     Portishead is a beautiful seaside town growing at a breakneck pace! It must be the fastest growing town in England. We live in a very nice flat on the marina (I'll send photos) and still walk and bus everywhere. It is like a suburb of Bristol. I'm currently in a Mac store in Bristol. What a place! 

     It's terrible to hear what has happened in the Philippines. People at church were talking about it. The ward we attend is the Weston-Super-Mare 1st Ward (there are 2). It has a little problem with unity but isn't as bad as Brighton haha. I'm getting to know everyone's names now. Also, I've been keeping in contact with the investigator Blake and recent convert family the Aka's. I've got to keep them going!

    I've got my British Driver's license now! You should have seen the look on my trainer's face (Elder Ormsby) when I drove up in Staines for transfers. He was astonished (in a good way)! 

   Ok for Christmas if you send anything over $40 it will go through customs and will have  a %20 charge added on my side. Just declare it under $40! 

    

    Love you!

       Elder Cooper

 The coast on Portishead with Wales in the background.

Me and my companion

The Marina

Cathedral in Bristol

November 11, 2013

Dear Mum,

     On Saturday the zone leadership was buzzing as all of the missionary leaders were hearing news of moves. While in the car on an exchange with my zone leader (Elder La Mazza) calls were coming in from others on top, but it seemed as though Elder Poulino and I would be together for another 6 weeks to carry on the work here.

     I was playing the piano in the chapel after church yesterday, waiting for Bishop Pine to finish his meetings when something unexpected happened. Elder Poulino heard the cell phone ring and walked towards the other side of the chapel, returning soon after to hand me the phone. Yet again, that familiar (and feared) voice had called me saying "Elder Cooper, this is President Millar. I need you to...".

      Well, in short, I'm moving to Weston-super-mare to be a district leader there! The seafront resort town is south of Bristol in north Somerset country. In the call I was told that I was being sent there to uplift the missionaries  and make friends with the members. The district is a bit of a tough one. My new companion was named to me, but I have no idea who he is. A fresh start! 

       So this Wednesday I will be taking everything and heading off to the west. I'll likely be spending Christmas there! 

       On Tuesday is something that possibly rivals this change in my nervousness about it. I'm taking the British Driving Test at 8 am, something that another elder just failed today. I've been passing all of my "mock tests", but wow this will be intense. I'll likely be having Elder Poulino give me a blessing just before I have to take it. Pray for me! 

        I got my hair cut today in the classic missionary look. Seems like the rest of the day will be spent meeting some of our recent converts (like Linda, Ellie and Stephane who will be so sad)and investigators for the last time. Then I'll be packing and practising for the driving test tomorrow.

       Looks like I will have to pray really hard in this new area! But God has called me to succeed, not to fail. I can't wait to tell you what it is like there.  

     Hey Heather, way to go on the comic! One of the Elders here really liked the way you drew it. I laughed at the "The End" segment (Should we go back?). It just captures our family! 

     Hey Doug, fun fact, I had Kruidnoten today. It's a dutch treat my companion got from home. It's kind of like mild, mini gingerbread cookies. Really good stuff. The whole zone is addicted to another dutch specialty: stroop waffles. Addicting. Probably against the word of wisdom. 

Love the Lot of you!

    Elder Cooper on the move.

October 21, 2013

Dear Family,
    This Saturday was a day that will effect generations to come! I baptised, as Elder Poulino witnessed, Linda, her son Stephan, and little Elianna. This is the miracle of conversion! I would have hardly believed this would happen when I called up one rainy Friday in August, but God prepares people.
    When the service began that evening there were a good number in attendance, but we did not have our speaker! So Elder Poulino was called up to bear his testimony of sacrifice and the journey we had all taken together. With a little time still to go before the main speaker would come with an investigator of ours, I was invited up and stumbled a few words that hadn't already been spoken. Fortunately, our investigator and her driver, "Auntie Emma", arrived while I was concluding my remarks. She proceeded to give her talk on the ordinance of baptism in relation to the Gospel of Christ. 
    After the talk we went on to the actual baptism. I went into the water to perform my first baptism ever, raised my arm to the square, stated the authority by which I did the baptism and immersed Linda completely. Her smile afterwards was one I won't forget! She then went up the staircase and watched as her son, then her daughter, followed in the way of Christ. 
    Our investigator present there afterwards told us that she will be baptised as well. It was powerful.
    The next day we confirmed all three into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and conferred upon them the Gift of the Holy Ghost. It's as if they have always belonged! I hope that I can always be there for them especially as they start their journey as a family. 
    We are teaching some new faces as well, helping out some old ones, and continually looking for those who've been lost!
    Sean is settling in well in the Church! Most recently we've been teaching him the Old Testament background on the Aaronic Priesthood and we'll be going into the background of temples next. He keeps on joking with me that  I don't have to be pulled back to America now because the financial crisis has been settled. Some of the British people have taken a spot fun with that, saying that the Queen now formally declares the Declaration of Independence null and void and claims the United States as part of the British commonwealth once more. He also jokes and says I'll be a future prophet or something. That feeds my pride! It's been great to teach him and see how quickly he's been blessed. Honestly, miracles happen to him and many of the investigators we teach.
     So things are going well! Keep an eye out for the letter I've sent you mum and and also the comic that I've sent Heather (in a separate letter of course). You're gonna like the way this looks Heather! I guarantee it. haha! Love you!
   Elder Cooper 

October 14, 2013

Dear Mum,

   The weather chilled so much in one day! The wind shifted to bring in the Scandinavian frigid air from the north and it dropped the temperature by 10 degrees Celsius in one day. The season is changing. But its beautiful too, I'll send a photo with this. 

   We're teaching more than ever, finding a lot of people to teach and progressing with Linda, her daughter, and now even her son who will all be baptised on Saturday! I haven't given her the talk yet but I will. 

   Heather got the comic! Ok oddly enough the part I laughed hardest at when drawing it was in the background on the river, especially the woman shouting "eureka" and then catching on fire in the next slide. I'm kinda weird like that. 

 I have a flood of more ideas as well. I don't want to spoil my next one! 

  Happy 65th to grandma and grandpa! What an achievement! It's quite rare to see that in England! Then again, old british people are among some of the best and funniest people to be around! Maybe they get on each other's nerves too much haha. 

 I got your package! It was excellent, I'm a sucker for those sour sweets! I think it would be better if, perhaps, UPS was used to send the packages. I think Royal Mail gets a hold of packages sent through any other carrier and charges us for their service as well! The temple holds money against my account because they pay the difference. I know that UPS is used in both countries though. Otherwise we are paying double! 

  I'm doing well though, Elder Poulino and I are having fun with the work and now are in an unspoken competition with the zone leaders who are also in our district. Anything to spice things up! Tonight we will be having a cottage meeting/ FHE with president Hawkins (Do you know brother Dudley in the other ward? He was my seminary teacher and has a heart of gold. Now imagine a British version of him). Linda and her family will be there as well as Christiana and Arthur hopefully. 

  Want to hear an incredible miracle in our area (other areas are having such miracles as well!) ? We were looking for a less active member just after finishing an appointment and we did not have a ward list. That means we have to rely on my memory which is pretty good but not brilliant. Elder Poulino remembered a number, 26, which he firmly believed was the one to go to. I directed us to the correct street after a few tries and we approach this home, number 26, which has Caribbean looking figures in the window (a good sign, seeing that this less active was from Jamaica-mon). We knock on the door and the guy who opens the door is completely unfamiliar to me. He's white british and has two boys scampering around with toys by his feet. I'm caught off guard, but because I've done it a thousand times I introduce myself, Elder Poulino introduces himself and we get talking. Long story short, missionaries had passed by his door several times before (turns out we were looking for his neighbour) and this time he accepted a Book of Mormon and we will be dropping by on Saturday to answer his questions. One of the morals of the story: it often takes more than one try for someone to accept the gospel message, and our Heavenly Father guides us to those he prepares. Not every time (probably to keep us humble), but He sure does a lot! 

   Love you Mum!

         Elder Cooper

October 7, 2013

Dear Mum, 

    What a powerful experience conference was! We had many of our less-actives and investigators attend. That only comes through diligence and the good grace of God. Saturday morning session was especially good; elder Dube (the african) was an enthusiastic speaker wasn't he? A lot of the missionaries wanted to stand up during his talk and shout "hallelujah!". When he talked about the field work he did with his mother: "Edward, don't look back, see what we still have to do!". 

   President Uchtdorf's talk in Saturday session was even better! The man going down the hall of religions and asking what our church requires of its members. I laughed along with everyone else at the comment "now I'm confused...why would anyone do all of that?" to which the reply was "I thought you'd never ask!"

   Jeffrey R. Holland probably saved someone from taking their own life with his words on depression. I hadn't expected him to speak on that! Interestingly enough, although it was so different the same message of endurance came across. After that session Elder Poulino and I talked about it with a member over dinner. Apparently depression is becoming a plague among the YSA in the church! 

   Of course, the most powerful talk I heard was the one I needed most. I haven't seen the Sunday afternoon session yet. Our prophet Thomas S. Monson spoke his heart and the Spirit touched me. It was in His closing testimony, when he said something like "I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God lives..." that a warm shock hit me from my crown down. Immediately after I received further witness and more conviction that, yes, My Heavenly Father is there, He has been watching over me. Just after that I gained more testimony that President Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's Prophet and has been appointed by Him to lead us. The mantle rests on him. I wrote it down in my journal last night to be a reminder that at one point I felt a firm witness of this truth.

   This week we saw many miracles and met many with plenty of miracle stories. I could write a book with all of the people I meet, stories they have and things I experience. The only big wish I have right now is to be able to attend the temple! I could ponder the things spoken even better there. i guess life is another way to learn it all firsthand. Here's a quote from an investigator that was inspiring: "trials before testimony". 

    Great job with the family history work! That's the work of salvation right there as well! It's all one work. You'll probably get my letter today, hope you enjoy it! Oh I got a new camera charger, so you'll now be able to get more pictures (the last one disappeared!). 

    Heather I hope you like the comic! I'm practising to become an artist. No, actually Elder Poulino and I are practising singing "Oh Divine Redeemer" (wasn't it awesome? We just need to get the words, none of us know what they are singing between the choruses). I'm forming a scheme to get into the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

   Love you both! I'll write more this week (this last week I did the comic and wrote some other friends, so that's why I was bogged down in responding, it's amazing to find the time!).

 The American Brit Boy,  

     Elder Cooper

P.S. Have fun on the date Heather! 

September 30, 2013

YES! FINALLY! After 7 months of blood, sweat, and tears we had our first baptism (well, for Elder Poulino it was 7 weeks). I'll put a lot of the details in my letter to you, but let me just say it was a small service, but too powerful to describe. We had investigators, Linda and Ellie, there who really loved it (how couldn't they? The Spirit was undeniable!). Elder Poulino performed the baptism, I had given a talk and witnessed. On Sunday I conferred upon him the Aaronic Priesthood. How wonderful it is! We will start to teach his wife as well. Then together they can progress to the temple! 

   Church was great yesterday, among the investigators there was one from a nearby town (Farnborough) who came up to Reading for the weekend. He's one of the Farnborough Elder's investigators, so you can imagine my surprise when 10 minutes before sacrament we get a call saying that he's coming and to keep an eye out for him. He showed up right on time, I showed him around, and we sat next to each other (and a less active) in sacrament. It was wonderful! The last talk was given by the second counsellor on the bishopric on being guided by the Spirit. He used the scriptures in 1 Nephi 4-5 ish, and for some reason the thought came to me to ask the investigator if he was reading there. Surprised he said "I am! How did you know? This is exactly what I need!" Mentioned in the talk was the part where Nephi is in a dilemma with the Spirit commanding him to slay Laban. This is what our investigator also was wondering about; it "seemed contrary to what was previously stated by God, that is 'thou shalt not kill', to slay Laban" (as the speaker put it). But then he put it into terms anyone could understand, yet feel its depth. 

    The investigator got a lot out of that talk. He said that the night previous he had a dream that he must go to church the next morning, even though his day was packed with service for his mom who lives in Reading. He woke up, called the Elders in Farnborough, said to let us know he was coming, and showed up right when he said he would. That is real intent! 

  And what was the reward? Enlightenment! Understanding! In Gospel Principles (which was great, Elder Poulino held out his arm with several books on it to demonstrate burdens that we can't carry forever), our best ward missionary "Auntie Emma" talked about her conversion, how she saw that the Elders and the members had something that she didn't. The Farnborough investigator said in reply "Yeah, you wanted a piece of that cake, and I want it to! That's why I'm here!" Great experience. God wanted him to have this experience. 

    Look at me, writing about an investigator that isn't really ours! I suppose  I'm saving the good stuff about Sean for the letter. The finding is going well! Elder Poulino is the fantastic finder, and I'm the talented teacher. Good teamwork! As a matter of fact, each time Elder Poulino talks to someone, he's so assertive that he always gets a number.

   Yesterday we only had one hour to proselyte. While I was getting a referral on the phone and talking to a less active, he was running to whoever was on the street and gets a phone number by the end of it. Then we hit Oxford Road (the goldmine) and both of us see this guy who we know is supposed to become a member (you get that sixth sense on the mission). Sure enough, Elder Poulino literally steps right in front of him, offers his hand and introduces himself. I follow suit, we have a great conversation, (he was looking for a church), find out about him (hopes, fears, family) and just before we leave get his number and give him a Book of Mormon (he loves reading by the way). Golden and a Godsend. 

   The whole district is catching fire right now! What a time to be on the mission! Pray for you mum! Love you all!

Elder Cooper

September 23, 2013

Dear Mum,
       I got to shake Clayton Christensen's hand!!! As he did so he said "God bless you, Elder" He came last night to Reading chapel/stake centre and spoke about why he loves this church. The way he explained things was so clear and powerful! He's a towering figure as well, much taller than I am! He and his wife spoke and afterwards had a Q&A session. That was a full chapel. I'll write to you all of the things he said.
     Sean (our baptismal date) just passed his interview with bishop and so will be baptised in 6 days. He's so excited, and his wife now wants to learn more and prepare to become a member. That's a surprise since gospel principles class yesterday was pretty terrible. Discussing priesthood organisation can either be fascinating or torture. Unfortunately, it was the latter. It was the second half of that lesson, the one the previous week was a great first half on the Aaronic Priesthood. 
      On Saturday we went with Linda and her daughter Elliana (Ellie for short) to the temple. President Hawkins was with us as well, and was the one who made it all possible. Linda LOVED the idea of a house to the Lord, a place which she said was so special. Evangelical churches not often have their own buildings to meet in, yet alone a temple to attend! Ellie wanted to know when she can go inside it! I said "not even members can go in right now; it's closed for cleaning!". The sister missionaries in the visitors' centre were great: one was a New Zealander, the other a Utahn. Everything from the Christus statue to the various rooms in the temple to Jeffery R. Holland's testimony was covered. The Prophet of the Restoration video never ceases to bring the Spirit. Linda and Ellie were so ready to be baptised by the end of it. Especially Linda, she really wants to do the work for her deceased family. After that we picnicked on the grounds with the food President Hawkins brought. It was lovely.
     That evening we attended the stake roadshow which was quite hilarious.  British people have a whole different sense of humour already, now imagine  British Mormon humour. Reading didn't win, but I was cracking up seeing some of the members (especially what some of the youth) did. Newbury ( a nearby ward) I thought did the best with the plot being a teacher thinking he's about to be fired and flipping out with his class over it. They brought Les Miserables into theirs. All the missionaries from the zone were there helping out. 
      Hey if you ever get into contact with Torben again tell him I met a Dane  who knows him out here. His name is Bjorn Graabek (Bjorn pronounced Byorn; I found out that Michel name is pronounced Meek-ale, not meek-ul). 
     Also cool is that Elder Poulino my dutch companion knows, guess who, ...Dalin VanOverbeek! I never put that connection together, that "Elder VanOverbeek" served in Holland the same time Elder Poulino was home. 
     At church yesterday we had so many people. 180 compared to the usual 140. Baby blessing and a good amount of missionary work accomplished that. That was with some of the core families missing! 
    So how many missionaries are out from our ward? With Jordan Preciado going out that's got to be more than 10! 
    
    Fun fact for Doug (from whom I'd love more random facts) and Heather. So on "My Fair Lady" Eliza says to her father who begs her for money "Not a brass farthing". Ever wonder what a farthing is? I found out! It's 1/4 a penny. A shilling is 12 pennies. And remember when Ebenezer Scrooge says to the little boy out the window "Get him in 5 minutes, and I'll give you half a crown!". A Half crown is worth 30 pennies, or 2 1/2 shillings. Now in Horse races they still pay out in Guineas, which are worth a little more than a pound. It's like a baker's dozen in pound currency. Back in the 60s they switched off that confusing non-metric currency. It's based on 12. Ever wonder why in school we learn our times tables up to 12? It's because of that partially. Cool huh? 
   
  I could write so much more, like the apple story with Elder Poulino or dinner with Bishop Pine, but I'll save that for the letters. (Sorry Aunt Luann, you probably hate me for that, but I have to write something original in those letters! Give me your address one more time and I'll send one your way!) 
   I hope you enjoy the photos! Love you family! 
            Elder Cooper
 P.S. Is everyone converging on Utah as the gathering place? We'll have  half of the family out there by now!

September 16, 2013

Dear Mum,

   We had so many people at church yesterday it was mad! Like organising an army! I was expecting a good Sunday but this was incredible. We will be baptising Sean Pierce on Sept. 28 (we are treating him as a convert baptism as instructed, even though he had his name removed about 10 years ago). He was at church this Sunday. Linda (a former investigator with a baptismal date) and her entire family came to church yesterday as well! We also had some less actives drop by, and 2 new faces (one who showed with his mother, is 24 and loved the lesson on priesthood, and another who has cerebral palsy and came with 2 friends/caretakers of his). 

   The Sister missionaries are seeing things pick up in their area and are loving the mission. They came with an investigator family to church. Elder La Mazza wants time to stop, so to speak, that he could remain on the mission forever. His patience with us all is exemplary, and the lesson he and Elder Carver gave in Zone training was so inspiring. I thought of king Lamoni's father willing to give away all his sins to know God. I want to do the same. 

  In my personal study I have studied what the Lord has said concerning obtaining happiness. There is too much I learned to include in this letter. It really inspired me though. Thank goodness for the topical guide!

  The English autumn is a lot like a California winter, except greener of course. This country is so beautiful! It's a give and take situation; if you work in the country your success is generally lower (since only wealthier people live there) but you enjoy the scenery a lot. Luckily, in Reading there are plenty of people to teach and occasional countryside trips we must take. Then we get to see nature. Ironically the way England is set up there are packed towns surrounding by large spaces of country. Most people only see buildings if they work in the city! 

   We did another phone lesson with Blake, he's so clever for his age! Like a Joseph Smith! Anyways, it's kinda a shame I can't see Aunt Luann and Uncle Dave here, but perhaps it's for the best. It could cause tension in the District, I'm not sure. I get Heather's letter today probably, and she'll probably get mine today or tomorrow. 

   You're right! The time is flying! Before you know it over 6 and a half months have flown by! I got the tape this last week from Candace and the rest of you. Maybe on Christmas I will send a tape back! I will have toad-in-the-hole this week ( a sausage in a yorkshire pudding kind of dish). Right, well I'm going to write some other family members now. Just know that I have been keeping a journal of every day on the mission, and that I'm nearing the end of the first one (I have the second one prepped). Not even "a hundredth" is contained in those pages haha. Love you!

Elder Cooper

September 2, 2013

Dear Mom,

     Every time I come over to this apple store to write and read what you wrote I feel so up! Funny huh? But I appreciate family so much more out here. Guess what: that woman who I wrote you about came to church yesterday with her family !!! I'm so excited for them, we just need to teach them more! She even had quite the spiritual experience after one of our lessons. Her personality kinda reminds me of Maya Andrus! She even does hair dressing! 

     September is beautiful here in England. Each season shows itself here. I love the weather right now! I wish missionaries were allowed to do kayaking or horseback riding or something! 

    So the Robertson boys have invaded the house? Hold in there. Justin is so cool. I've never met Ryan. If I was there I would help! So a lot of the fam is making holiday around the UK? So close and yet so far haha! I can imagine how the British elders feel. Those guys are cool. 

    You know, it gets harder to talk about out "worldly" things the longer you're out on the mission. I guess that's a good sign! Watch out for Christmas when you speak with me! 

    General Conference approaches! 1 more month! I'm so stoked for that. I'm guessing they'll announce a temple in west africa, a temple in utah (or Idaho), and a wildcard temple. Do you think Elko Nevada will get a temple? I mean, those guys have to travel quite a bit! 

    Hey, while I was typing this I just got a new referral! The work is incredible! (Heaven when it's going good, and one horrible crucible when things are slow!). 

    I've kept in touch with Colin Arbuckle, or should I say "Elder Arbuckle" from back at BYU. He's training and starting to get less actives to 1st see if they have home or visiting teachers, 2nd come to church, and 3rd refer their friends. He remembered my birthday too! 

    I've also heard from Elder Torres a little bit ago! Mexico is such a different place from here I can't imagine what it's like! As I always say, Latin American missionaries get to work on their teaching, and European missionaries become expert finders! 

    I'd say that in less than 2 years we will all get together and tell the stories like the sons of Mosiah!

    Gospel Principles class yesterday was PACKED. Returning Less actives, investigators and missionaries. We'll work with YSA a lot more. Also I've looked into family history as a tool for strengthening investigators and recent converts/ part member families. I also want to organise a temple  visitor centre trip, we've already organised a service project!

    It's so sad in England; so many of the mothers here don't have husbands, so many of the children without their father in the home. How the gospel blesses families!

     I'm sending a letter this week to a missionary from Reading Ward who is serving in Zambia. I'll try sending something your way too! 

    Love you Mum!

          Elder Cooper

P.S. Tell Steph I got her card this week and think it's very missionary appropriate haha! Tell Heather I don't know why she sends Christmas stationery for her letters either. Also, driving is coming along well in England! 

August 26, 2013

Hi mom!

    Like the scriptures say: "my joy is full"! Who knew how rewarding missionary work can be? I wrote the whole fantastic experience in my letter I just mailed (it should reach you  by the end of the week). Here's a little something I wrote president Millar:

   

     How fantastic this week has been! I took Elder La Mazza's advice to contact all our former investigators in the area books, and, well, long story short we have a baptismal date! Incredible! She and her daughter showed up for church yesterday!It's the principle of digging where the gold is! Also, it's the principle of member fellowshipping. Josephine ( an african member) really took her under her wing so to speak. She has children the same age as our investigator's! I pray that the next appointments we have with formers will prove as successful! 

I am so blessed to have Elder Poulino as a companion. He's always wanting to get down to the missionary WORK of it! In the evenings while I'm taking care of accounting he'll be cooking dinner or taking care of things around the flat, sometimes writing down things for me! I really need to just let him take the lead in all the lessons. The mission makes me very talkative so I should avoid dominating the lesson. Elder Poulino is very direct with his invitations. I admire that about him! No fear there!

The Reading Rock Festival finished last night at around midnight or one. I dunno, it kinda keeps you up but we are so shattered by the end of the day that we can fall asleep really quick. 

   I got the package! We had a blast! Thanks so much! I finished the John Bytheway book in a day or two! I love learning. My new companion is teaching me some dutch words. I'll send a few photos of the impromptu party the Zone Leaders and we had. I haven't received Aunt Luann and Uncle Dave's yet! I'm excited though. What a way to start off 19! The mission is fantastic. 

   I'm so glad Sister Beigler got my letter! Did you deliver it by hand? Excellent! I've been making sure that people here in Reading are doing their home teaching. Today we'll be seeing a nonmember who just lost her mother. I hope we'll be able to be a guide to the comforting gospel. I wrote a lot more in my letter. And that's just one day! Imagine how much goes on every single day!! It's unreal!

   I love you mom. I really enjoyed the card and photos. I could write so much. Like the fact that Clayton Christensen is giving a fireside here in September, or about all the experiences of just missing or making buses, the blessings we've been giving, how sacrament is each Sunday, the random calls we get, the other former missionaries we meet, the homes we go into, everything. Pages and Pages! But I got to prepare for another busy week! Time is so short! I'll write next week!

                                                                        Love, Elder Cooper

P.S. Did Kent get my letter?

Me and Elder Poulino 

The card Elder Poulino wrote me and the mini cake a member from the ward gave me!

Elder Poulino (my incredible companion), Elder La Mazza ("the godfather of Reading zone"), and me!

August 19, 2013

This week was a great one, even though we've had problems with our baptismal date. I guess we must show more love and concern for her, I'm not sure. I'll write about it more in a letter. We've met with 2 new investigators this week who are fantastic! One is a man who wants to "come back into the fold" so to speak, because he had his name removed over ten years ago. He's sincere! He's come to church now and met with bishop, and wants to get his wife to church as well. The other we taught (over dinner at a returning less active's home) a first lesson and will meet again this week over dinner. The mission itself is awakening! Not to mention growing to capacity! 30 more missionaries will come by October, making half the mission 6 months or younger. 

   Reading is preparing for a rock festival (with over 80,000 coming from all over) over 3 days. It starts on Friday, so I've been joking with Elder Poulino that they're doing it to celebrate my birthday. You can see some of the tents already being set up in the background of the photo I'll send! I hope you're collecting these! 

   So glad you got the letter I sent! I got the birthday card Sister Beigler sent. Tell her thanks so much!! As for the packages, I'll see if the Zone Leaders got them from the office yet. 

    Yesterday was one of the most powerful sacrament meetings I've attended. The youth came back from EFY and were on a spiritual high. They transformed! All of the priests and laurels bore their testimony and most ended in tears. Some of the priests said they felt angels there, that it prepared them to stand alone in the world. One told a story of a nonmember boy who went who said that "I want to become a member and serve a mission". They appreciated Christ and His atonement. They valued why they were members in this church. One of the laurels who went who was a bit rebellious before said that she knew now that the church was the right place to be, the right way to follow. These were teenagers! They don't mince words! Some might say it's spiritual brainwashing, I say that it's simply taking the time and effort to evaluate what is most important. That's what a mission does as well! 

   I have many other stories I will write in my letter (I'm working so hard to keep up on my journal already!). Yesterday we also gave another blessing. The church in action!

   Love you mom! I'll set some 19 year old resolutions haha. Tell Heather that her letters take us to hospital! 

Love your (almost 19) missionary son

Elder Cooper jr jr jr

August 5, 2013

Hi mom,

   You are so right, I've been wanting to send a letter to Sister Beigler, but I'm not sure if I still have the address. Can you send it to me just in case?Tell her that I say hi and hope Bro. Washburn is still able to help with everything. Certainly I'll send a letter this week. She's an incredible woman!

    The big news this week (drum roll please) is that I am training! I just found out from President that I don't have to move all my stuff (you can still send letters to the same address after all!). I forgot the Elder's name, but he's from Amsterdam most recently and the Caribbean (I think) before that. He's black, can speak a type of Creole, speaks English well enough to be accelerated through the MTC, and is coming this Wednesday. According to president he is quite clever (he worked as a legal assistant before), and is 22. All my companions will be well older than I yet! 

    That means I'll most likely be in Reading until 15 weeks from now, but I'm never certain anymore. Haha, whatever president tells me in person happens to change when he calls me up! 

    Elder Castro leaves tomorrow morning. I'm going to miss him, he was kinda like Doug but crazier haha. You never realise how attached you are to your companion until the day he leaves (or you leave him). He heads back to Honduras, might continue to serve for another month at home, and certainly will be applying to BYU-I (with a little encouragement from me). 

    So I'm leading the District and training at the same time, which is a lot to handle but could be more opportunity to grow. Pray for me on that!

   Wow, the rumours are true!!! A new temple video!! I won't be able to see that until Christmas! Oh well, It will come sooner than I think! 

    Christiana is more certain this week to be baptised on August 24. She is saying goodbye to Elder Castro today, which will be hard for her. We are halfway through all the commandments and will be making the arrangements. I'm so happy for her!! Now, in 1 year's time, She will be able to be sealed with her son in the temple for time and all eternity. What could mean more than coming closer to God together? 

   I passed my driving theory test this last week! Elder Carver (my zone leader) gave me a blessing just before, since there is a hazard perception portion that is unlike anything in the American test. You watch a computer screen and click as soon as you see a developing hazard. Now I'm prepping for an even harder practical test (the real driving!)

   Heather liked the comic? Fantastic! I was crying I was laughing so hard when I first drew it. I ran out of ideas for now, and creativity. I'll still try to write though. 

   So Elder Castro will be buying a few clothes and packing up today. It will give me the opportunity to get something to send to you Mom, since we will be shopping a little. Something to commemorate the royal baby...let's see. Happy late birthday anyways! I love you so much, and this week I'll be working on loving others as well. Who knows what I'll include in my next letter! I'll be writing everyone else who's sent me an email now (a lot of the family today!!). 

      Love your missionary son,

                        Elder Cooper

   

     

July 29, 2013

Hi Mom!

   This week it was so incredible. You should know that this week I didn't send off a letter because I was reading that book by Clayton Christensen most every spare second of my time. I've written it now though and will send it off today. I'm laughing so hard at the comic I tried to make for Heather. So this week we have seen big miracles, good progression and a strengthening of our work with the members. We had zone conference this week as well. I don't know where to start, let's see. Christiana, our baptismal date, is coming along so well. I love her and Arthur so much. She has a testimony of Joseph Smith, a desire to know the Book of Mormon and the faith that is needed. The spirit was very strong when we sung "I need thee every hour" in our last lesson. We are watching out for Arthur as well and keeping him with the faith. He's on young men's camp this week! Anyways, the other miracle I don't want to spoil too much since I wrote it in the letter I'm sending. Let's just say that it's as big as the meeting of that one boy at the bus stop back on mother's day just before calling you. Ok I'll spill some more, this man approached us and had asked us when church was on Sunday. We showed him instead a baptismal service that was going on. He came to church on Sunday! Ok let's see what else: I will be moving out of Armadale Court flat this next week when Elder Castro leaves and will be joining a companionship right next to us in the same district. They've been struggling a little lately, not with each other but with the work. Pray for me there. We'll be a "tri" until just after my birthday when transfers are. We have a lot of exchanges this week with them and the zone leaders, so I'll be traveling a lot. Also I'll be taking the drivers theory test. Studying today for that! For my birthday all I want is if you can send my rain jacket from home (I have a winter jacket, but that's way too much for summer rain). Also, could you send the pull up bar that hangs on door frames (the one in the game room?).Any books like the one's you've been sending me would also be cool. Perhaps a few photos to make me homesick? hahaha. Speaking of home, the stake president of Staines who was at the Zone Conference shared his experiences of his mission to...Sacramento california. Not even that, Cameron Park and Mormon Island!! I wrote them down in my letter to you as well. I'll be sure to write Kent this week. I'm excited for Heather's letter. I'll probably send photos to either Steph or Lin. I need to be better at communication. Really busy week ahead! It's brilliant though. Love you lots! Way to go reactivating members! I should write sister Beigler as well, I haven't done so in a long time (not that she's less active hahaha). 

Love,

   Elder Cooper

P.S. The news was all about the royal baby for 3 days straight. I can't  believe it turned out to be a boy! I want to send home a gift, sorry it hasn't been sent yet. It's a little tricky finding something, believe it or not, in Reading. It will come though!

July 22, 2013

Hi mom,

     Haha the only thing with hot weather in England is that only half of the homes, at best, have air conditioning! It's supposed to be 34 degrees C one of these days (maybe today). On Friday it was the first time I was "out of action" so to speak; I had bad bowels, if you know what I mean, the entire day and was in bed resting. Not sure what it came from, but now I'm making sure to drink plenty of fluids. Nothing as bad as it could be in the Philippines! Okay this week we got a baptismal date! We took our investigator and her recent convert son (along with her friend who's an outstanding member-missionary) to the temple visitor centre. It was so packed last Saturday with probably 2 stake temple days happening at once. It was a miracle that everything worked out so well. Just getting to the temple was a fight against the adversary; Elder Castro and I took the trains and took a slightly different route than planned (we worked it out in time though) and "Auntie" Emma's car (who was taking our investigator and her son) was having troubles on the motorway! After enough prayer though, and through the grace of God they arrived and we showed them  around. Do you know we saw a kind of new edition of the Prophet of the Restoration video? It was INCREDIBLE. Most everyone was in tears at least once during the movie. The Spirit was so strong. No one could deny it or say that the church was not true. After walking on the grounds, the familiar comments arose that the temple was like "heaven on earth". She accepted the invitation to be baptised on Aug, 24. 

     Speaking of which, I will be 19 by then! As a matter of fact, Mom, your birthday in July 31! That is coming up so soon! If only the royal baby could be born already so I could send you a little present for that. 

      So we got the letter and Heather's comics. Oh my goodness you should have seen us, I think I got a stomach cramp from laughing. Elder Castro liked the sausage sandwich story most. I appreciated the driving story best! Tell Heather we are so grateful for those. Humour is necessary in life. As for your letter Mom, I love the insight and update. Did you know that Elder Castro loves the little John Bytheway book you sent me? He's been coming up with quotes of his own. One of them this week was "Missionary = Visionary". He goes home August 7, in 2 weeks now. Sad. Pray for us this week: we are crazy missionaries in the heat haha. Lots of love.

Elder Cooper

    P.S. I know just the comic to send Heather. 

June 3, 2013

Hi Mom It's so awesome to hear from you! So the weather in Reading is fantastic; the summer here is like spring at home. I'd say today it is in the 70's F. It's finally not raining every other day! I am along the River Thames now ( a bit upstream from London). I have a picture to send your way.

   My new companion, Elder Castro, is so great. He is from Honduras and returns home in 3 months. Unfortunately, I will only be with him for 6 weeks. He honestly loves everyone he talks to. I have to laugh sometimes because of the cultural differences; English people are quite reserved and he asks them questions like "where are you going today?". Nah his specialty is Spanish, Portuguese, and black people. I never thought this would happen, but we were teaching a family the other day completely in Spanish (they are from Ecuador). Turns out my 3 years of high school spanish paid off! He has been teaching me more and more spanish while I help him perfect his English.

   So there is a road in Reading we contact on a lot. It is called Oxford Road and is full of immigrants and foreigners such as Polish people, Latinos, Ugandans and so on. Quite frankly I have come in at the end of a wave of baptisms here, so we have to build the pool back up. Seems that my purpose in Brighton has been fulfilled, but I still miss the investigators I worked with there. Time for me to get to know people here! 

   The ward here is fantastic, much different from Brighton. It is a healthy size and the members love their missionaries. There are a lot of changes happening here; my stay at our current flat will be just for this transfer, then I will move to the 4 man flat in central Reading. More sister missionaries will be coming in, so they will take our flat. No problems with bedbugs (that's disgusting to hear about Raymond's experience). I just get to focus on the work and not worry about things like that. I think the worst pest I ever deal with are moths (and that's less than at home!) Maybe the English killed all pests and beasts here. 

    Ok so Nate is heading out now! I will pray so hard for him, especially for his first few weeks. I don't know what advice to give about girlfriends since I don't have one, but I've heard stories of troubles with them. My only advice is to build faith in any way you can and remember all the blessings of the gospel. Several times a day I think of the temple or of the teachings of Christ to lift my spirits. Now I'm not going to say that I brainwash myself, but I will say that I immerse myself in the light of the gospel. Otherwise I'm hopeless. I'm not going to lie, missionary work (especially in England) means a lot of rejection, a good deal of stress (those key indicators are annoying), and and immense amount of faith that success will come. I want to get a baptism here in Reading by the end of the transfer. 

    Reading is somewhere between a city and a town. Whatever it is, it's super.  I'm writing this right now in an Apple store just in case you want to know. That just means there is a mall here. Oh and here's a fun fact: my district leader is Elder Christensen, who happens to be the nephew of Brother Norberg! Small Mormon World huh?

     I got Kent's letter the day I transferred which was awesome. Thanks Kent, I'll keep the advice! And Heather I don't think Maya sent a letter to the right address, I never got it. As a parting gift Elder Ormsby gave me 2 air mail envelopes (pre-paid), so I will write you. My address in Reading for the next 6 weeks is 31 Armadale Court, Westcote Road, Reading RH30 2DF.

     Oh one more thing, I will be trying to start soon to get my English Driver's Licence. A member here does lessons for missionaries free of charge (he's an incredible man). I just need to check the office for paperwork and permission. That means (if I get it) I will know how to drive a manual, how to drive in England, and that I am available for leadership positions that use cars. Very practical. 

  I'll send the pictures! The blog looks awesome! Lindsay I will send a separate email to you! Love you all, and pray for a good week!

Elder Cooper

May 27, 2013

Dear Mom,

  WOOHOOHOO! WE GOT A BAPTISMAL DATE! Remember Vanessa and Michael? Well, the only real barrier from keeping them from being baptized was the law of chastity (they're not married). But guess what! They are getting married on June 15! Vanessa will be baptized of June 22! I was sweating bullets when we had to teach them this; I had no idea how they would react. To put things short, Michael wants to raise his kids right in the gospel, and Vanessa had been wanting to get married for a year now (they had been engaged but never set a date). The next day we took them (with a member driving) to the temple visitor centre. It was a beautiful day and they LOVED it. Vanessa said she didn't want to leave and Michael just kept mentioning how peaceful it all was. If all goes right in a little over a year they can be sealed there! I will try to send pictures but it seems like they aren't getting through so well. I'll mess around with it. Dang technology.

   Anyways, remember Cole? We're meeting with him again tomorrow; he's really interested in the Book of Mormon. He even said he wants to be a missionary! Cool stuff huh? The only barrier is that he's 17 so we would need to get parental permission. His parents have recently separated, but he said ever since we met with him things just seemed to go right! He has been more patient with his girlfriend, happy with life and just going through good times. 

   I don't think I told you about Chris. Maybe i have. Anyways, he's a YSA aged guy from South Africa (but he's white) who we met at a bus stop. We're having a lesson with him tonight, and then he'll be a FHE having dinner with all the students. Really cool guy to be around. 

   As of right now I have no word from the office pertaining to where I am going, if I'm staying, or if I'm training. Seems as though just as soon as things pick up some change happens to interrupt the flow. Vanessa and Michael don't want us to go. 

   It was so good to get your last letter (I've got a lot of pictures of Justin now!) So you got rid of Gabby huh? I didn't know you too had it in you to do it! Good thing you did though, now Chloe can have undivided love and attention. That dog lives off of it; she knows nothing else. The family that you gave Gabby to, I might know one of the daughters from high school. Familiar name. 

   So I'm getting the impression that Elder Ormsby will be leaving. The zone leaders just called for another reason, but mentioned how they knew what was going to happen to him. My father is leaving! Why does this keep happening to me? haha. 

   Just found out about Oklahoma, apparently the missionaries there are helping out with relief efforts. In London there were a couple of Muslim extremists who butchered a soldier with a meat cleaver. Anyways, it is memorial day back home, but here it is a bank holiday today. Not a lot of places open. 

    Beautiful weather today, warm enough to wear just the white shirt. People notice you then! Can you believe it is already the end of May? The kids are all out of school now aren't they? It's funny, exactly one year ago I graduated high school. Now I've been in England for 3 months! 

    To Heather, don't let the Obamantion tear down the U.S. while I'm gone! A lot of people here of course like Obama. Their healthcare kinda sucks here: a woman in our ward found out she had cancer way too late. That wouldn't have happened in America unless the individual neglected to go to the doctor. Of course, for the young and healthy like me they would put me on higher priority to take care of. I dunno, I'm biased. I had tacos yesterday when we were with the Columbian member in our ward for lunch. Never thought that would happen in England!

    Don't worry about sending dark socks Mom, they're pretty cheap here (well, nothing's cheap here, but it's cheaper than mailing them). Just send some recipes a missionary can cook in the field! Well, I'll be keeping in touch after moves, whatever happens (probably staying, they like to keep university students in college towns, and I've only been here 2 transfers). Love You!

                                                                                                                  Elder Cooper