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