My dear family,

Wasn't conference just amazing?!  I know I loved it.  As for the past week, on Wednesday I went on an exchange with one of the Zone Leaders, aka Elder Jensen (my trainer).  We had a good time working and teaching together again and talking about the good ol' days in Galveston.  We spent a lot of P-day helping some other Elders move apartments, and then when we got home we decided to move our furniture around just to mix things up.

On Tuesday we OYM'd a young man on the street who was skateboarding and then while I was with Elder Jensen, Elder Heidt and Elder Bullock were able to teach him and he's pretty legit.  I love working with the youth.  In between the Sunday sessions, Joaquin (recent convert of a month) was able to teach Maria (recent convert of 2 months) a new member lesson about the Gospel along with Moises being there.  It was great to see one recent convert teach another and even an investigator about the Gospel. As we've been working with them I've seen their lives change tremendously.  As for the fiesta, it was amazing.  A lot of members were able to invite their non-member friends and I was able to talk to all of them.  So many are looking for the truth (whether they know it or not) but they don't know where to find it.  That's why it's up to us to invite. Obviously they have their agency but it never hurts to invite, Sin Verguenza, Con Confianza.

I noticed a lot of conference was focused on missionary work and the Book of Mormon.  I was reminded of the great example of Abraham Perez from Galveston –a  member who basically all he thought about was "how can I do missionary work?"  His whole life was missionary work and he was probably one of the happiest people I've met.  If we feel we're lacking spirituality, do missionary work.  The gospel is true.  I love you all.  Happy birthday Mae!

Love, Elder Cooley