I got transferred to Rotterdam with
Elder C. I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. Luckily Elder
C is a great guy and an amazing missionary so he'll be able to drag me around
while I'm getting over Alkmaar. Not only that but it's kind of cool because
this is where Elder Mathis served as a Zone Leader so I'm following in my
daddies footsteps on that one.
Drama moment! Big cities and me don't
mix. I've known that and have been hearing it since high school. I remember
vividly on the New York trip I think Dylan asked me "Moose, where do you
want to live again?" I responded in a smaller place, definitely not a big
city and he said "Good. Cause it'd probably eat you alive." I mean it
was all a joke and everything but it was based on truth!
 |
| We had it good. These two Elder became great friends. |
Well I could say more but
I don't really have zin (desire is the closest translation) to do that. So
I'm just going to pray, read my scriptures, serve the zone with all my heart.
I don't like change. I know it's
necessary, but I hate going through it.
Sorry the e-mail isn't uplifting, you guys
deserve better but I just can't write any more or I'm going to start crying all
over again and I'm in public....so that'd be awkward haha.
Just know that I love you all and
that it's going to be ok, it always is. This wound is just deep so it's going
to take a little time to heal, kind just how it goes. LOVE YOU! Hope you all
have a great week this week and that things keep falling into place.
Love,
Elder Cooper
Well I just read Dad's e-mail and I
kept the e-mail open in case I got more zin to write.
Dad said something interesting in his
e-mail about the Lord giving me this opportunity to prove to myself if my eye
truly is single to His glory, in other words- will I work as hard, give as
much, do everything I did here… in Rotterdam? A place that is the complete
opposite from here (according to Elder Chantry, that's where he was before he
was here)
The answer is- of course I will. I
want to do everything the Lord asks, that's why I do everything that I
do. Sounds right? It is right, it just doesn’t always feel that way. The other
reason for the title of the e-mail was the other thing that's been on my mind
recently- how real the world is.
 |
| "Moving on is heartbreaking, but I'll be okay. This is the Lords work." |
For example: Another hard thing is knowing
at some time, in my life, my heart is going to get broken again when I find out
someone here has left the church or given up trying, it is the worst pain I've
EVER felt. After an
investigator is baptized Satan hits them with everything he's got and they often
go inactive here and fall away from the church.
I had a realization the other day
that started all this. Out here we talk a lot about getting investigators to
feel the Spirit and to gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and
that somehow if they can just get that everything will fall into place. False!
A testimony means nothing if there
is not action involved. And that's the problem here and I’m sure everywhere.
Frankly stated, many people can't and
don't want to live the standards of the gospel (members or not). I will forever
be impressed with anyone who is an active member out here despite any of
their flaws because it can be a rough road. But I love them and I am so
anguished when anyone falls. It all comes from love of the people and the
gospel, but it tears at my heart to leave this city and these people I love
so much, knowing some will fall and I won't be here to help.
Good thing I'm an optimist right?
Otherwise this would be a really depressing e-mail. Guess I'm just having a hard
time right now, but it'll pass- it always does. Just endure. Cling to the
knowledge, experiences and moments I've had before to keep me going until the
next one. Love you all :)
LOVE YOU!
Elder Cooper
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