My dearly beloved family,

So this past week was pretty bitter-sweet, President Saylin and his family should be on their way to Utah right now.  It'll be weird having a new mission president for just the last little bit but I'm sure we'll be pals by the time I leave.  He also shared with us his full conversion story, the first time I had heard it from beginning to end.  It's nothing too crazy, just simple acts and examples of friends who were members when he was younger.  But it's amazing how those small and simple means are just what brought about great things.

You should try "cakeballs" they are delicious.  Also, Sis. Smith is progressing really well. There's nothing better than sharing the gospel, keep it up!

Love,

Elder Cooley

Mi querida familia,

It's true that I don't have much opportunity to speak Spanish, but I'm making sure to always do language study still and talk to as many Hispanics that I can!  I really miss being in a Spanish area; in the Friendswood stake there is a Spanish branch so I'm looking forward to going on exchanges soon with those missionaries.

This past week was amazing! So this past Monday as we were washing the car Elder Shields contacted some big buff man.  It turned out his name was "Booker T" (apparently some pro-wrestler guy; one elder said he remembers playing him on a video game), anyways, he almost let us come by but I guess he's a little busy.  Sis. Smith is flying through the Book of Mormon and is getting back from being out of town tonight so we will start teaching her again.  We talked with her daughter (a member) and she told her that on her way out of town she realized she had forgotten her scriptures and she felt very distraught.  So she began to pray and as she stopped at the light she looked over and there was a car full of missionaries.  Well she waved them down and had them pull over and they gave her a triple, prayer answered!  Also, as we were out contacting on the 4th of July it started to rain and we felt like we should knock a certain house. Well, Sis. Watson (Sis. Smith's daughter) answered the door and it turned out that it was the house of her sons girlfriend (who had been reading the Book of Mormon but we didn't know where she lived). We went back a couple days later and the girlfriend wasn't there but we taught the mother and it was an awesome lesson.  She told us how her daughter had been talking to her about the Book of Mormon and such, good stuff happening.

Anyways, I love being a missionary.  It's the best!  Keep being awesome; I hope y'all have a great week!  Keep being great examples and opening your mouths and hearts to others.

Con gran amor, Elder Cooley

P.S. Elder Shields is purely English and is from Springville and turns out he knew Brett and Uncle Ken was his coach for baseball as a kid.

July 2, 2012

Hello! Sounds like some good times at Philmont.

As for the new area, I am in the Friendswood 2nd Ward with Elder Shields. My first English ward and I'll probably end my mission here, it's a really nice and friendly ward. I went to the first English sacrament meeting in 21 months and it was very different. The first few days it was a little bit of culture shock but now I think I've accustomed myself to Friendswood.

We had a baptism this past Saturday for Sis. Rose, a 63 year old lady who the missionaries had talked to on her driveway about 3 months ago. She is a saint and had us over for dinner on Friday, homemade country-fried steak, Yummy... On Thursday we had President Saylin's last Zone Leader Council, the spirit was very strong, and he informed us that Pres. Ashton will be arriving in 2 weeks.

One investigator we have is Sis. Smith, the mother of a member family. She has come to church a few times and this Friday she called us on the phone and told us that she wanted to be baptized and even set her own date.

Anyways, things are going great and I'm still loving the mission, even in an English area (for most of my mission I dreaded the thought) but everyone needs the gospel! Keep being that light to your friends and family!

Love, Elder Cooley

Hello!

That's pretty cool to hear about Zeniff and Will. Send Quentin my love, and give him a big hug for me, and tell him to write me, thanks!  That's exciting all the stuff with Philmont; I can't wait to hear about it!

So this past week was my last full week with Elder Tonn.  We get the transfer calls Monday mornings (today), but we went to the mission office on Thursday and President pulled me in for an unexpected interview and asked me to serve as a zone leader.  So I don't know where I am going but I feel I might go to an English area, we'll see, either way I'll be preaching the gospel so I'm happy.  Time sure does fly on the mission; I try not to think about it much though.

Anywho, this past week as we were OYMing we ran into a less-active member who wasn't going to church because he simply "did not know where to find it".  Se llama Florentin y viene de Guatemala, el sirvio una mision en Honduras y ahora vive aqui con sus hermanos que no son miembros.  Well, we started teaching his brother, good stuff. Also, yesterday as we were trying to get an investigator to come see a baptism we went to his house and learned that he had moved. We didn't know where he moved to but we really wanted him to come and see it, so as we were out and about inviting people on the street to come and see it, we ran into the investigator that we were looking for!  That was no coincidence. Well, he was able to come and we were able to find a member to get him a ride. Many other miracles are happening and I'm sure gonna miss this area and all the people I've come to love.

Well, I love y'all very much also and I hope you have a great week!

Peace and blessings, Elder Cooley

P.S. Yes we went and used the Jamba Juice gift cards, thank you so much!! It had been a long time since I had had a Caribbean Passion smoothie. Love ya mom!

Monday June 18, 2012

Como Estamos?

"Que le dice un jaguar a otro jaguar?  Jaguar (How are) you?"  Un chiste que Adan me conto.

It sounds like this past week was an exciting one.  Keeley Sage eh?  I can't wait to see her.  Que suerte que tengan la oportunidad de ir a Philmont.  Espero que se disfruten y saquen muchas fotos para que vea yo como era.

Well, this past week was great.  Hno. Ramos came out with us a couple times and we walked around Guatville with him talking with people and teaching them the gospel.  He also shared with us some stories of his time in the army as a combat engineer.  I was on an exchange Wednesday in the North area and as we were biking around we were stopped by a member, Luis, who had recently moved from Chicago.  He and his wife were baptized about 2 years ago and he was really excited to see us and find out where the nearest church is.  We will be going by to see him and his family this Wednesday. Adan went to mutual and has been going with Hno. Ramos to play soccer and it's good to see him get more involved with the members.  

We found many prepared people this week and I'm excited to teach them.  This is the Lord's work and he knows his sheep and they are numbered.  Well, I hope y'all have a great week! Keep the faith.

Love, Elder Cooley

Howdy!

Congrats on the baby girl, Kera and Greg!  I hadn't heard the news about Al Fuller getting married and expecting, that's awesome!  I also got letters from Zach Carpenter and Craig Roberts; it was good to hear from them and all the crazy stuff going on back home.  As for things in Texas, I am still working hard and the mission is doing great.

 This past Monday we had district activity; we went to Memorial Park and barbecued some fajita meat that an investigator had graciously bought for us, along with playing some games.  We then went to an English member’s house and we helped him in his attempt to catch an alligator with his lasso, but the gator had already been caught before so it didn't work out.  I also interviewed a man for baptism and then on Wednesday he and his girlfriend got married, then he got baptized.  

On Thursday, we taught a sister who, after being in-active for 4 years, showed up at church and asked us to come by.  She then showed up to church again with her husband and is very excited to get back into the church.  She said the whole time during her inactivity she would try and do other things on Sunday to "fill" her, even go to different churches, but she always felt empty.  Also, Joseph Matuk came back from New York and he's doing great as always.

Yesterday, there was an investigator fireside in which recent converts share their testimonies. Well, Sofia Ramos shared her's; she has also been called to serve with the Young Women and is doing great!  I love this gospel!  I hope y'all have a great week with the baby-naming and all other delightful things.

Happy late birthday Diana & Josh.  Also, happy birthday Dad, Benton, Alicia, and nameless Cooley girl!

Love,

Elder Cooley

Monday, June 4, 2012

Hola,

I don't have much time to email but this past week was really good!

We had a lot of lessons fall through, but we are planning on a baptism this Sunday so hopefully all goes well with that.  Also, the meeting with Paul V. Johnson was really good!  They created a new stake in Houston!  Good stuff!  

Well, I love ya bunches!

Elder Cooley