Chase got his call to Washington Tacoma?! That is soo awesome!! He will be a great missionary and he better write me. And I assume Sean will get his call soon, I got a DearElder from him a while back and it sounds to be that way. This is all great news!
Life in the MTC is pretty good. Went to the temple this morning and it was basically the best session; I have learned so much this week!
So, the first day in the MTC Elder Simmons and I taught our first lesson to a lone elder who was studying on the grass at night. Anyways, we got to know him and taught him a lesson filled with the spirit. He was headed to Philadelphia English speaking and throughout our stay we would see him around and we became friends. Well he left a couple weeks ago and last week we got a letter from him telling us how his call had been changed to Spanish and that he was learning it really fast in the field. He expressed thankfulness to us for being friends and it was really a cool letter to get.
We got a new district this past week and Elder Simmons and I had the opportunity to do orientation for them. They are a stellar district; they remind me of our district oh so long ago (6 weeks ha). One of them was in my EFY group when I went the first time at BYU. I didn’t recognize him but he remembers me because everyone would hit on my sister (Diana); brought up some memories.
Two elders in our zone where feeling homesick this week so Elder Simmons and I gave them blessings, fasted for them, and prayed a lot. God answers prayers. On Sunday Stephen B. Allen (an awesome man who was mission pres. of the Tempe mission and is now managing director of missionary department) spoke for the fireside. He told us that when we feel homesick and want to go home that is only Satan pushing our buttons because he knows how much success we will have in bringing others unto Christ and he does all he can to make us quit. Bro. Allen addressed their concerns basically word for word and referenced Alma 26:27-30ish. I love everything about this work. The hard times have a purifying power and the good times make you appreciate life and the plan of salvation.
Un conocimiento de la expiacion de Jesucristo es muy importante por los gentes del mundo y a traves la expacion podemos tener la vida eterna. Yo se que Jesucristo es mi Salvador y Redentor. Yo se que puedo vivir con mi familia por eternidad.
I love my mission and I can’t wait to hear how the Lord has been blessing your lives. If anyone has time, DearElder.com is nice because they get here fast and such. I love you all! One of my favorite scriptures of this week is DyC 128:28-29 (I think) "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" and also DyC 31 is pretty good also as related to missionary work.
Anyways love ya all and keep it up,
Love Elder Cooley
