March 18, 2013

Hi Mom!
 It's always great to hear what's going on! My companion Elder Ormsby says if we talk about home too much we start to get 'trunky' which means homesick or nostalgic, but I love keeping in touch. Tell Nate that he sounds like a missionary already in his emails, or like an apostle giving a talk at general conference! Speaking of which that's coming up pretty soon isn't it? Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day (happy anniversary to Doug and Emily) but in England it is not celebrated so much. They don't love the Irish if you know what I'm saying. Still the ward here (which is half the size of our ward back home) uses the opportunity to gather together. So you remember what I told you about Brighton? I have more to say: it is like a smaller San Francisco. I found out from Elder and Sister Powers (the couple from Utah serving along in our ward for the YSA) that Brighton is the least religious city in the UK, and the UK is the least religious country in the developed world! So I have my work cut out for me. It is so hard to get people to give the gospel a chance! If only they knew we are trying to save them, not sell to them. If they are religious they believe strongly in the Church of England and that 'no other scripture is to be added to the Bible' (what a foolish idea, it's refuted by logic and scripture) and if they are not religious they have no interest in getting religious. There is a man who we are working with who I believe is what is known as a 'waster' meaning someone who wastes our time. He is like a Mitchell Smith but who's brain is fried by substance abuse. He can't stop smoking and just wanders all day. We try to get him to commit but he's not doing well at all at it. On the other hand, there is an outstanding man named Ali who just got baptized (maybe five days before I came to Brighton) who is from Pakistan. He sacrificed never being able to see his family again back in Pakistan for having the Gospel in his life. If he returned there he would be executed, and his family cannot know that he has been baptized or they will be guilty as well. But he told the missionaries he would die for the Gospel, and he told me that it would be incredible to baptize his friend as well. He is a pillar of faith. Anyways Elder Ormsby and I have a new plan we are going to use to expand our teaching pool.We will do everything we can to involve members in the work. We want to see 10 member families, 5 a week alternating, and teach them how to teach others. They are the most effective way. Knocking and street contacting is not as effective as this and really should be a last resort. We also have a HUGE list or inactives (or less actives at least). The Brighton Ward has over 300 members, but only 60 or so attend church. It is a shame, and the Powers and we have been working on that. I gave my testimony/introduction on Sunday and it went well; the Spirit let me speak smoothly. I have faith in Christ and the Gospel, but right now I feel as though I am doing something that the prophets of old endured in some cities: preaching to a people who are slow to listen. It almost seems like talking to bricks. But I still practice with my companion, try to keep my spirits up. 
   The food I've been eating is pretty English too! A lot of sausage back at the flat. We had a dinner appointment with the Powers on Saturday and enjoyed some Spaghetti. I miss Elder Mongelli and wonder how he is doing in London. A funny thing happened while checking my email today, we had a scare that I was serving in the wrong area. The office typed in the wrong name for the wrong area on the online accounting sheet. They swapped names of missionaries in different areas!
   Remember how I also told you Brighton is the gay capitol of the UK? Well we are working towards a miracle in getting two girls to split up and be baptized. One is already a member but was inactive for a time. They both believe the gospel is true, they just don't want to commit yet. We pray for the Spirit to be with us to convince them of the blessings that come from taking a leap of faith and being a member. They practically already are.
    I saw some gay marches out yesterday going on, or maybe it was a union march, or it could be an occupy movement march. I don't know. Heather should be happy about that haha. Tell her here's a fun fact: 7 elevens were named for the hours of the day they originally were open. Also, in Italy the way your license works as a kid is that you have way more rules and speed regulations than an adult, and have 21 points that if you violate a law, you get double point deduction 2 pull-overs can revoke the license! Also, I see mini coopers everywhere here, as well as Fiats. I ride in a double-decker bus every day to get around town! Well I have to write a report to the Mission President now, I'll send home blessings for my obedience if you send prayers haha!
     My address is 
58 Kingsway Court, 
Queens Gardens
Hove, Second Avenue
BN3 2JQ
                                                                                                                                                                                     Love, 
                                                                                                                                                                                           Elder Cooper
PS   Tell Steph thanks for the updates, and tell Candace I am giving the other brother's a chance to become FU while I'm gone!