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.