Howdy,

So, this past week was amazing!  We were able to teach a lot of people and see many miracles.  About a week back, as we were rushing to make it home on time, we were stopped by Jose, a man in our apartment complex.  One of the first things he said was "Quiero que me ensenen".  After setting up a few appointments and him not being there for them we began to give up hope.  But as we were trying to get an investigator to an investigator fireside yesterday we walked by his door and he was outside, we invited him and he accepted.  We were able to get him a ride and he loved it.  We still haven't taught him so he has a lot of questions about Jose Smith and the Book of Mormon but he definitely felt the Spirit which is the most important part.  Also at the fireside, Moises Gomez, shared his conversion story.  It was awesome to see him and hear how he's doing.  He has received the priesthood and just turned 16 so he will soon start blessing the sacrament.

We had a great lesson with Melba; she was postponing baptism because of her arthritis and she feels that her bones were really weak.  We then asked her how she was doing with the Word of Wisdom and admitted that she was still drinking coffee.  We then read through parts of D&C 89 and focused on how even the weakest of saints can do it and then testified of the blessings, including marrow in the bones and those were the blessings she needed.

There were 2 instances in which after talking to people on the street we set up appointments for the next day.  We taught them and they accepted baptismal dates. Also, we taught Adan, a 15 year old who recently came from Guatemala and who is living with his sister and brother in law.  He said he's not really sure why he came here, he liked it back in Guatemala, he was going to a nice school and everything but he feels that God has him here for a reason.  Afterwards I was reminded of the scripture in the Book of Mormon that talks about how no one will be brought here save it be by the hand of the Lord.  I feel privileged to serve among those who have been brought here by the hand of the Lord and I have seen that scripture be true many times throughout my mission.  As for Adan, he is a really smart kid and has already come to church several times and has a baptismal date.  

There certainly has been "an abundance of rain"(1 Kings 18:41) this past week, in terms of literal rain and blessings that the Lord has poured out upon us.  This gospel is true and it makes eternal changes in the lives of all who accept it with full purpose of heart.

Love, Elder Cooley