Hey! That's awesome about Henry's wedding and Myrna's this upcoming week! Tell them both congratulations for me. Sounds like a lot of great things are happening in the ward and such.

So this last week has been awesome! Since we were only on the island Monday-Wednesday we worked as hard as we could and we were able to find a family to teach and hopefully they start progressing. Then Thursday we had our final day of mission conference, my favorite so far. Then Friday and Saturday we worked in Pasadena with Elders Cortez and Tidwell in an English area, we basically just knocked doors all day, and met some interesting people along the way. While there I really gained an appreciation for the area I'm in and how greatly we are blessed. So this Saturday, Jesus is getting baptized and that'll be awesome. Hopefully we can get Dijorkaef baptized this week too. While I was in Pasadena I realized the difference between an English ward party and a Spanish one... and I'm pretty sure when I get home I'm going to a Spanish ward/branch.

Also this week I met an interesting character. He introduced himself as TJ. As we talked he told us how he was Christ in his former life and how he was back as TJ Evans this time. He also told us how Galveston will be the New Jerusalem (I can see where he's coming from on that one because Galveston is pretty awesome) and how Bin Laden and Dick Cheney are the Antichrists. Along with all sorts of other interesting things, but the amazing part was that he honestly believes it. He then gave us 2 options, we could either go with him to Uruguay or stay here and finish our mission and possibly die. All in all I think I'll stay here.

Anywho, the work here is going great. This past week I realized the importance of home teaching and member missionary work from Acts 6 along with a talk by Bruce R. McConkie called "Let the Word Go Forth". Also I've noticed my sacrament meetings have been a lot more meaningful since I've been studying it a lot lately. Well, hope all is going well at home and with everyone, have a great week!

Elder Cooley

Hey! This past week has been great. The mission conference was good and learned a lot from it. That is amazing to hear about the support to the Miles family and all the stuff in the stake. I got the package of CD's with the talks, thanks so much! It was cool to hear Elder Andersen and Christofferson translate their own talks, I noticed that even some Apostles have problems some time with the language. As for the baptisms, none seemed to work out this week. Jesus changed the date because a friend who introduced him to the church was in Mexico and wouldn’t get back til March 11 so we'll be having his baptism on the 12th. Amazingly, even without the baptisms I felt amazing peace and happiness this week in sacrament meeting. I am coming to appreciate and understand the sacrament more and that has helped me come closer to Christ.

As for Ike and Galveston, I would now like to relate to you the history of the church on Galveston Island. Apparently back when the saints had settled in Utah they sent missionaries all over the world and one of the places they sent them was to Galveston. The work was kinda slow and there was a small group of members by the 1900's. At this time there were 8 missionaries on the island (like there are now). Around this time there was the 1900 storm which was very devastating to the island. Just before it hit the island, 6 missionaries left the island and 2 were left to gather the saints, they all gathered in the top floor of a member’s house and blessed it, all the while waiting for the storm to pass. When it had passed they came out and everything around was destroyed while they were safe and sound. Shortly after the missionaries were taken off the island and weren't put back until after World War 2. All the while the members went to a church in La Marque, on the mainland. In the 70's there was a man who came to Galveston and became bishop of the ward. He had prayed before he came and he felt the Lord wanted him here in Galveston for some reason. He was a spiritual giant. He had prayed and fasted fervently as bishop to understand why the Lord had sent him here. Then one night he had a very vivid dream. In this dream he saw another great storm that would hit Galveston; he saw that after this storm a lot of bad people would leave the island. He also saw that the missionary work began to blossom. He then saw that a stake was formed here on Galveston Island.

So there's the story, I have seen a lot of the effects of Hurricane Ike still, buildings that were destroyed and haven't been rebuilt. But just a few weeks ago President Saylin told our district leader that Galveston district is the strongest in the mission and also our branch president told us that the Lehi Branch is growing more than any other unit in the stake. I feel so blessed to be here in this marvelous time and help the work move along. Also, a few years ago they were thinking of combining the Spanish branch and English ward; they almost did it too but then a general authority told the leaders here that they needed to remain separate. This island has some intense history. Anyway, this past week we stayed for Mardi Gras, some tighter rules but this next weekend we're actually going to be staying with some other elders in Pasadena, for Friday and Saturday. I think the whole time we'll just be on bike OYMing (Open Your Mouth, aka street contacting) which will be fun. We're not really taking a P'day today so that we can get all the work on the island that we can before we leave for a few days. Anyways, hope you all have a great week and que Dios les bendigas!

Elder Cooley

 P.S. Abraham gave me and Elder Jensen suits, his boss gave them to him but they didn't fit so he passed them on, I got a brown one and it is awesome :)

Galveston, Haunted Ghetto Paradise Island

How's everyone doing?  Sounds like an awesome stake conference, wish I could have heard all the talks and such.  Anywho, this past week has been quite intense.  We had a mission conference on Thursday and have 2 more this Thursday and the next.  We learned about Revelation through prayer, the Book of Mormon, and church and how to teach them more powerfully to our investigators.

Also this past Saturday and Sunday we saved a very active member from personal apostasy. Saturday morning he was on his way to the temple for the first time and got offended so he had them drop him off, then told us he was never coming back to church and after much intense discussion we were able to get him to come to church and as of now he is back to his normal self.  It was pretty scary to see someone so strong almost fall away.

Other than that, we are praying to have 3 baptisms this week.  It seems to me that every baptism has something that always gets in the way to try to postpone it and this week we get to work through some of those.  Also since this week and the next are Mardi Gras, we almost got kicked off the island, but due to the momentum of the Galveston District and the trust that President has in all the missionaries here, he is letting us stay this week, although with some added restrictions in order to not slow down the work.  Other than that our investigators are doing good and progressing.

Also our Branch President told the branch council that the Lehi branch (smallest unit in the stake) is leading the stake in many areas and the area is seeing many blessings from the Lord.  I feel so very blessed to be on a mission and see so many miracles day to day.  I hope the Lord continues to bless all of you with many miracles in your lives!

Con gran amor, Elder Cooley

14 February 2011

Que me cuenta de bueno?

Thanks for the Valentines package!  That is awesome that everyone is recovering!  And Quentin Begay is back!  I need to talk to that man to see how he is.  So if I could get his address or have him write me that'd be good. 

So this past week, somehow I found time to figure out how to solve a Rubik's Cube in under 2 mins. I left my planner at the apartment so I'm kind of lost without it...

Oh, President Saylin called me and Elder Jensen on Tuesday. When we answered he said, "I think I have a golden referral for you”.   So he told us about a man (Ricardo) who called the main number of the church and talked to someone for 2 hours in Spanish about the church. Then they called the mission department, who then called Pres. Saylin, who then called us.  Ricardo lives up in Texas City and is dating a member of the Spanish branch; we haven't taught him too much but he is pretty awesome.  Also we taught Jesus again.   Whenever we teach him it’s in the chapel; those are always the most spiritual lessons.  Last week for district lunch we went to Rainforest Cafe and got half off because some members work there.  Other than that, I can't really remember much, but I love serving the Lord, speaking Spanish, and all the other good stuff that is involved with serving a mission.  Hope you all have a great week and continue to be awesome!

Con gran amor,

Elder Cooley

Hello all!

So we received transfer calls this morning, and amazingly me and Elder Jensen are staying together!  We were 95% sure that one of us was leaving.  Apparently in Elder Jensen’s interview with President he said he had done all he could with me.

Anyways, this past week has been way cold, to the point where we were expecting snow.  From about Tuesday-Friday it was pretty cold and then on Thursday we received word from president that there was to be no mission vehicles driven or even bikes ridden, so we bundled up nice and walked to most of our appointments.  We were able to find some rides with members.  But all turned out well and we were able to teach a lot of lessons this week since a lot of people were home trying to avoid the cold.

Hna. Orellana has taught us how to make Gorditas, Tres Leches, flautas, frijoles rancheros, enchiladas, y arroz.  Then we went home and made some on our own, especially Tres Leches, soo good.  I encourage you to make one.  Also she fed us something called Capirotada, it was alright.  We have bought a bag of Maseca and make our own corn tortillas, good stuff.

We were able to help Hno. Aguirre give a blessing to his son who was in the hospital and we got to know them some more.  They are in our area, but clear up in Texas City. We were also able to teach Jesus again, the first lesson and he committed to baptism.  Then he came to church this week, which was stake conference. 

Well, moreso regional conference and Pres. Monson, Elder Ballard, and Sis. Dibb spoke. They focused a lot on the gospel and then The Rescue of less active members.  Al rescate!  It was good to see also that the Ensign of this month has a lot to do with that and I've noticed that's a big focus of Pres. Monson too.

Anyways, Love y'all and happy birthday to Emmie (late), Greg (later), and Adam (early)!  Hope all goes well this next week and I'll continue to keep everyone in my prayers!

con gran amor,

Elder Cooley

How's everyone doing? This past week was AMAZING!! We are going to the Orellanas after emailing today so I'll give you the update on that next week.  I haven’t gotten a box but I received the shirt/calendar/tie, thanks very much!  I wrote Elder West a couple weeks ago and sent it to the MTC but he hasn’t written back yet so not sure.  Karla and Hilary are engaged?  Ha, looks like she's not going on a mission; but that's still awesome.  I told Hna. Orellana that if Henry ever met any Fowers then I'd be related with them,; but today I will tell her that my ancestors settled that area.  I guess I had forgotten that part.  Hope all goes well with Bro. Miles;  I'll keep him in my prayers.

So, this past week for Zone Conference we got to hear from Elder Gavarret of the 70; learned a lot from him and it was a great day.  So that was on Wednesday, then on Thursday we had the baptism for Cindy because that's what worked for them.  We really pushed to have a lot of members to come and support this time.  The whole room was filled!  Also Hna. Romero's sister and her kids were there.  After the baptism all 3 of them came up to Elder Jensen and said "Queremos ser bautizados".  Miracle.  So we are going to teach them tonight, and they live with Hna. Romero.  Then on Saturday we had a lesson with Hna. Orellana and we talked about fasting and we joined with her in a fast so that her and her husband can be sealed.  Then Sunday, Geraldo was able to make it to church and the branch is starting to fellowship him more and more, especially a recent convert Transito Trejo who's about the same age.  Five minutes before sacrament meeting started the first councilor of the bishopric, Hno. Hernandez, comes up to me and asks me to give a 5 minute talk on the Aaronic Priesthood.   I was a little apprehensive but I had faith the Lord would communicate through the spirit rather than the words I would say.  Apparently the talk went well.  Miracle.

Speaking of miracles, so there's been a lot leading up to this, but we gave an investigator, Jesus, a church tour this morning.  He remembers coming to church when he was a little kid but he never got baptized.  We ended the tour with the chapel and after explaining the Sacrament he said that he felt something in his heart, something good.  At this time I was prompted to testify that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to him that this is Christ's church and that He leads and guides it.   It was a testimony to me of the truthfulness of this gospel and the spirit was so strong.   He got a little teary eyed and he is very eager to read the Book of Mormon, come to church, and get baptized.  It amazes me everyday how the Lord is able to use us as we are obedient.  I hope you all continue to see the hand of the Lord in your lives and that all is well with the fam!

Love, Elder Cooley

Mi amada familia,

Thanks for all the love and support that you continue to offer.  Just to let you know I have been eating my vegetables as of lately, mainly just carrots as of now. Thank you for all the news, good and bad.

This past week has been pretty great. For our zone activity last week we had a nerf gun war and it was ridiculous how into it some people got, good times though. Then on Wednesday, we had interviews with President Saylin, good times. Some other great stuff that’s happened, this Saturday is Cindy's baptism and she has asked me to baptize her! Soo... that'll be awesome! Also, we haven't had much progress with Angel lately but we decided to give him a Proclamation to the Family and the next day he said he wanted to change for his son. Then Geraldo, we took him to an investigator fireside in League City and we were the only people that showed up so it was recent converts and President Del Aguila from the mission presidency who were basically telling him to get baptized, then after he said he wants to get baptized. It was one of Elder Jensen’s dreams to have an investigator get taught one on one by a member of the mission presidency and so moral of the story, dreams come true, but more so the Lord is awesome and miracles happen. Then this morning we got called to give a blessing by someone who had been given a restoracion pamphlet about 8 months ago and he had us come over to give him a blessing for peace and such, we encouraged him to meet with the missionaries so hopefully all goes well.

Next P-day Hna. Orellana is going to teach me and Elder Jensen how to cook food; she had already taught us how to make gorditas, which are delicious.

Entonces, todo esta bien aqui en Galveston. Este es la obra del Senor y debemos confiar en El si queremos ser guiados. Estoy siempre agredecido por mi familia y el conocimiento de este evangelio.

 "Spiritual guidance is direction, enlightenment, knowledge, and motivation you receive from Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost. It is personalized instruction adapted to your individual needs by One who understands them perfectly. Spiritual guidance is a gift of incomparable worth bestowed upon those who seek it, live worthy of it, and express gratitude for it."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

Anyways, love y'all and have a great week!

Con gran amor, Elder Cooley