A Crazy and Beautiful Week

So this was a crazy and beautiful week all at the same time. We had a baptism which was an amazing miracle. His name is Felipe and he has been ready for the longest time. He was supposed to be baptized at 4:00 on Saturday, and when we went to go fill the font only a trickle of water would come out and we only had 3 hours. We knew it was not going to be enough so we started trying to figure out where we were going to have the baptism. I prayed in my heart just to help us make it work. Then for just about 20 minutes the font filled at regular pace and filled just enough that he could lay down. 

The baptism was delayed by two hours still, but Felipe was baptized laying down and entered into a covenant with our Heavenly Father. It was a beautiful miracle that really should not have happened. 

This week was full of miracles and blessings. I know that God is the one who guides this work. He helps us in our time of need and even when we do not need it too. I know our Heavenly Father loves us and wants to bless us. 

Share the gospel with everyone, you never know who is ready to accept it until you ask.

Eu te amo,

Elder Cooper

Felipe and his mom

A Beautiful Day in Brazil

So this week was a beautiful one here in Brazil. We have been meeting with a lot of less actives and this week our works have payed off. One of them asked his teacher at school if we could come and share what we do, because their school was having a day of religion. We got to share all about the church, our standards and answered all the different questions that they had.

This sunday we had 3 less active members come to church, 3 investigators and 1 sister invited her friend to attend too. I am so excited about it. I love all of these people dearly and I have learned that bringing a less active member back into the church is just as wonderful as baptizing someone!

I have also been thinking a lot about the atonement, because one of our investigators asked about the fruit in Lehi´s dream and what the significance was.

We showed him in 1 Nephi 11:22 about how it is the love of God and connected it to Proverbs 17:17. The love of God is the atonement of Christ and I have thought a lot about the Atonement and it´s purpose. Often times I feel like we look at the atonement as a way to overcome everything. Our challenges, trials and times of struggles. I learned that the purpose of the Atonement is not overcome, but to become. It is through the Atonement that we become like God, accomplish our dreams and become that person God has intended us to be. I love you all and wish you an amazing week!

Eu amo voces,

Elder Cooper

General Conference

So this week was a beautiful week in Brazil! We have been teaching a boy named Filipe. He came to an activity in the church and a few days later we ran into his mom and she told us that we should baptize him....Which normally it is the other way around! Well we have been teaching him and he is really excited! his baptism is the Saturday and he is a spirit that is definitely ready for the gospel! He has been prepared by God!

He came to conference with us.Which for me was a little different because it was all in Portugues, but it was so good! The spirit testified to me so strongly that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and I know I will support that man until the day he continues onto the eternities.

I was reading in my scriptures this morning in Alma 60:10 about an epistle to the chief judge of the land and how he had been working diligently but was neglecting the people. I then asked myself this question ¨Have I been neglecting the people?¨ 

Have I really been giving all of my heart, might, mind and strength into the salvation of this people? Do I give my attention to the people? I realized I need to do more! I need to put a little more into my relationships and a little more into my letters. A little more into my lessons and a little more into my work. I need to look for the ways to share this gospel with everyone!

I love all of you so much, I know that we all lived together before this life! You are all my brothers and sisters and there are many more out there that need our help! Talk to strangers! Love everyone! Serve the Savior!

Life is beautiful.  Serve everyone.
Eu te amo,
Elder Cooper

Prayer, faith, hope and determination

This week was a beautiful week! I had the opportunity to help a less active sister return to church with her two daughters and learned a really amazing lesson in the scriptures. I was reading in Chapter 58 of Alma. At this time the Nephites are looking to attack the Lamanites but are waiting for more troops and they can not seem to have enough. I know in life many times we feel like we do not have enough of the things we need to accomplish all the things that God has planned for us. 

I found in verse 10-12 the formula to success when all things seem to be impossible. Prayer, faith, hope and determination. So many things seem beyond our grasp, but when we have all of these things we truly can overcome all that we run into on our path of life!

Eu te amo,

Elder Cooper