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