Elder Spencer Cooper

Write to him at:

Elder Spencer Cooper

Georgia Atlanta North Mission

1150 Cole Dr. SW

Lilburn, GA 30047









Monday, January 27, 2014

Craziest Week of My Life

So this week was so stinking crazy. First of all on Saturday we got in a car accident. We were driving to dinner and the car in front of me slams on their brakes. So I slam on my brakes and stop just before hitting him. We were like wow that was close then BAM. A big F 150 slams into our back. Good thing we had a bike rack on and that took a lot of the impact. Nobody was hurt and we don't have to worry since it was his fault but it was annoying as junk. Had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and be an hour late to hour dinner which made us 10 minutes late to the adult session of stake conference.

Stake Conference was awesome though. It was so inspirational. On Sunday there was a special broadcast for the South East States by Elder Gaye, Kiposchke, and Russel M Nelson. It was really cool, all about hastening the work. I hope people will start to understand their potential to help this great work progress.

Laueddia and Laquanda, the mother and aunt of the WItherspoon kids who were baptized, is doing great. Laueddia is so set on being baptized. Laquanda says she wants to but isn't sure if she'll be ready by Feb. 8th. Told her to keep praying about it. We also got the last kid involved; Jasmine. She's 21 I think and was uninterested until this week. Their whole family came to conference on Sunday. We should have a baptism this Saturday for a recent converts kid. He's 12, really cool kid super smart.

John's baptism was the craziest thing ever. It was a lot of work to make it all happen but the Lord provided miracles in order for him to make his date. John missed his first baptism interview appointment on Thursday, so we rescheduled for Friday. Then he missed that one, but we were able to reschedule for Sunday morning. That morning he called us 20 min before the interview and said he was too sick to come. And it wasn't an excuse he was super sick from his surgery because his staples got infected. Anyways we ran over there and gave him a blessing. Within minutes he was talking and behaving normally and feeling much better. He told us how on Saturday he had received so much opposition from his family. Relatives calling him from all over telling him how big of a mistake he was making. He was afraid but we talked to him for a long time about faith and how the Lord was providing this for him and all the miracles that had taken place for him to get here. He remembered and after awhile we got him to come to the church for his interview. The interview went fine and his baptism service was so great. Many members of his family attended, all of which are nonmembers. I know the Lord made this happen and it has opened my eyes that he will provide ways for us to accomplish baptisms if we put forth the effort. I wanted to postpone the baptism several times due to these slip ups but I see now the importance of him making this date. I feel like missionaries give up in situations like this too easy. That with more and more persistence we qualify ourselves for the power of heaven to accomplish miracles.

Love you all

Elder Cooper

Monday, January 20, 2014

Great Week

Man we had some serious miracles this week. So we've been working with this guy and he has been wanting to quit drinking so bad. I feel weird talking about him so I'll just call him John... but anyways John is like a serious alcoholic and really wants to quit. He's had a crazy hard past and wants to change. We put him on date for baptism a few weeks ago for Jan 26 and told him he needed to be able to stop drinking at least a week or two before. He was making really like no progression. But last Monday he called us and he was in the Hospital and had to get his gallbladder removed. He was released the next day no huge deal, but the thing is he can't drink for awhile. He totally recognizes it as an opportunity from God to change. We helped him pour out a ton of beer on Thursday it was so cool. He is scheduled for baptism on the 26th.

We also were able to meet with the Witherspoon's mother and aunt on Monday. Their names are Laueddia and Laquanda. Our ward mission leader set up the lesson at his house and it was so cool. Lessons in member homes make a HUGE difference. The spirit was so strong and they are on date now for Feb 8th. I would really encourage you to reach out to the missionaries and have a lesson in your home.

Other than that we have been finding tons of new people to teach and the area is thriving. The ward got a new Bishop on Sunday, that was exciting. The weather has been cold but getting warmer and warmer and today is 60. Nice.

Anyway hope you are all having a great MLK day. I know God is real, and he actually knows us. It's crazy to think that we do so terrible in so many different things but he still loves us. And we can find that out for ourselves if we experiment and ask. He always gives evidence if we ask in faith. Love you guys.

Elder Cooper

Monday, January 13, 2014

Crazy Week

This week was pretty crazy. We spent most of our time preparing for Natalie and Nala's baptism. There was a lot to do to prepare but the baptism turned out awesome. Their mother Laueddia was able to come and I think she really enjoyed it and felt the spirit. There was a really good turn out, like 50 people or so including the stake President and Mission President. It was weird President Wolfert and Sis Wolfert just showed up unannounced. But everything went well and we're excited to teach Laueddia now. I confirmed Natalie and E. Coleman confirmed Nala. It was great.

We met these awesome hilarious old black folks this week named Charles and Kathy. They came to church and really enjoyed it. I was worried at first because I think they were expcting it to be more lively and exciting, you know like preachin' singin' and dancin' but they seemed to really feel the difference.

Holy cow it was sooo cold on Monday and Tuesday last week! Like the high on tues was 24 and when we drove to our zone meeting it was 9 degrees. Crazy. But it warmed up quick and it's back in the 50s this week.

Hmmm. Not sure what else to write. Really I am so tired today and can't think straight. Everything is going great though and I love all of you and appreciate your prayers for me. Take care and have a great week.

Elder Cooper

Monday, January 6, 2014

Happy New Year

This week has been busy and crazy as always. But we got transfer calls and I am staying here in John's Creek for another 6 weeks. That'll be 6 months I stay here! But I'm glad it's a super cool area and my companion and I are doing great work. Our tiny zone led the mission this last month in baptisms. I really believe we have the 3 best wards in the mission.
I was on exchange with the assistants to the President on New years eve, and it was super uneventful. Just a normal day. But on New Years a family had us over and cooked a full 65 pound pig. It was AMAZING. It's actually always been one of my desires to eat a pig that's just cooked full on. And guess what... we ate the eye balls. My comp and I. I got a video of it and it won't let me send it but legit we ate em. They surprisingly tasted pretty good but the consistency was super greasy and slimy. But it was fun.
The W. family are progressing so well. Actually, the mom is struggling to meet with us and it seems like she has some doctrinal concerns, but the two sisters Nat and Nala are so prepared for baptism. They are so excited for it. It's this Saturday. I think if we get the Mom there she will feel the spirit and recognize how important this really is and how much it could change her life. Other than them we met this old black couple this week that we are teaching. They are hilarious and I think they have solid potential. They are way Southern and so kind. It's going to be interesting when they come to church because I think they are used to those dancing "Praise the Lord" churches. The first thing she said is she wanted to learn more because she heard that Joseph Smith died by getting chased by 500 women out a window and she wanted to know why he was being chased. Haha man some misconceptions people have are crazy. Speaking of which, The Book of Mormon Musical is coming to ATL. We are using it as a big proselyting push; like they are going to send missionaries to stand outside the theater to talk to those coming out of the show. I REALLY hope I get to go it would be so cool. Apparently they did this in NYC and Chicago and baptisms came from it. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Alright that's about it. I love you all and hope you have a good week.
Elder Cooper