Howdy!

Wasn't conference the best?  I was able to write out all the questions/concerns I had before the conference and then as I listened I did so with an ear ready to receive council; without a doubt every question/concern was addressed.  

Joseph is continuing to prepare for his baptism this Saturday and is very excited.  We reviewed the baptismal questions with him yesterday and he is stoked.  He told us of how, the night before, him and his wife invited friends over for dinner (apparently a weekly thing) and how while everyone else was drinking wine 'til 1 o'clock am, he drank water the whole time.  He truly understands the blessings that come from obedience.

We have several other investigators which are continuing to read and progress in the gospel.  One of such is Edgar, from Uruguay.  He cooked us "pollo a la italiana" (they eat a lot of Italian food in Uruguay and Argentina) and afterwards we taught about the Plan of Salvation and how he'll be able to see his family members who have passed on. Another investigator is Jose, from El Salvador; we have been able to teach him a lot more recently and he started reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning.  Jose's grandpa back in El Salvador is the only member of the church in their family and they've been talking a lot more because of it.  Jose told us about how his grandpa is excited that he's no longer going to be the only member in the family.

Yesterday, we were able to teach a less-active family and it was a very sweet lesson.  We expressed our love for them and encouraged them to start with something simple, family prayer.  The daughter who goes to church with her grandma had asked her that day, "Grandma, why don't mom and dad come to church?"  She was able to testify of how she felt at church and we gave the grandma a blessing of health before leaving.  Also, last night I received a very unexpected call from President Saylin.  He started off by saying how he had a couple assignments for me - the first of which is to train an incoming missionary, and the other to be a district leader.  So Elder Claunch is being transferred and on Wednesday I will meet my "son".  It will be nice to learn from him and help him get a good start to his mission.

Well, I love you all and hope that you have a great week!

Con gran amor, Elder Cooley