Life.

It's funny how life turns out. When I first got to college I had no idea what would happen in the next 5 years. Even the idea of a study abroad terrified me, but not quite enough to stop me from dreaming about it. And here I am, after living in Paris, Guernsey, Prague, Ceské Budějovice, Brno and Plzeň, and now back in Provo at age 23. I would have never guessed that I would have the opportunity to travel the world so much. I thought that maybe I would major in English, become an editor, pursue my love of reading. Or perhaps History, although I didn't want to teach. But I was positive that I didn't want it to involve math or science.

A couple years later, I was an anthropology major, with no idea what I was going to do after I graduated. All I knew was that I loved cultures and history and travel and learning about different ways of life, and anthropology seemed like a good way to follow those passions. And then in Guernsey I realized, that while it was such an important experience for me to be there, that I really didn't want to be an anthropologist, at least not in the traditional sense of the word. I didn't want to be in academia, and I wanted to do something practical, something useful--to contribute to the world. 2 years ago I thought that I wanted to go into linguistics, perhaps grad school when I got back from the Czech Republic. Or maybe business anthropology. But I was lucky enough to be able to put those vague plans aside and concentrate on other people, on serving.

2 months ago, finally back in the U.S, I was back to square one. I didn't really want to do linguistics anymore. I didn't think I was cut out for the business world, and I was still tired of being in school, even after such a long break. So grad school didn't sound too appealing either. One day while visiting family in Montana I went on a walk/run with my dad. In the middle of big sky country, we were talking about the future, hashing out what kind of career I might be interested in, trying to narrow it down. And I made a list on my phone of my dream job, laughing to myself that there is no way that a job like that even existed:

one on one work, no committees
practical, applicable skills
focused on ideas
sense of accomplishment
about macro human behavior
involves research
opportunities to write
involves teaching, talking to a group
flexible hours, but good pay
evolving, stays interesting

After a whirlwind two weeks at home/travelling I was back in Provo, back at college, trying to transition back into real life. I missed my mission so much it hurt, and was trying to find purpose in my life as a student again. I had decided to take a genealogy/family history class because my mom had gotten really into it, and she had a feeling that I would like it. So I dropped some of those linguistic classes that I wasn't that into anyway and signed up. And--

I loved it.

I had no idea that a major like that even existed. Or that an entire career field--one of the fastest-growing career fields--existed. That I could use my research skills, love of history, languages, and writing to help people with something they really cared about AND get paid for it. It was amazing.

But I was an anthropology major.

I had two classes left. I was about to graduate. I didn't know hardly anything about genealogy, at least not compared to these people. There was no way I could do that.

But I felt so good about it. I had finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life--a question that had been hanging over my head since I was 5, when people started asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up--and I didn't have an answer. I was so relieved.

That was my first week back at school. The next few weeks were just as miraculous. I got a job as a research assistant at BYU's Family History Center, despite being an anthropology major with little experience. The 3rd week I turned down a job to work at the MTC as a Czech teacher--the dream job I had thought I wanted--because I knew that my current job at the center was where I needed to be.

The last month I've been waiting to hear back about my application to be a family history minor, knowing that there was such a slim chance of them approving it. I'm already in my 8th semester, about to graduate, why would they let me stay an extra year?? I waited and waited, and then last week I finally got the email.



"Your petition to add the family history minor has been approved."



...as long as I graduate in December 2015. So I'm here for another year! As much as I would like to be out of school, I know that this is the best path for me, and I'm so grateful that everything worked out the way it did. I will have a whole year of job experience, classes and internships before I start applying for full-time positions. I couldn't have planned it better if I had tried. So while I'm still not quite sure why I needed to take such a round-about path through anthropology to get here--I'm excited to see how it all turns out. Here's to the next 5 years! Who knows where I'll be.

Week 28 in Plzen THE LAST LETTER

                     11 Aug 2014

Ty jo, I don't know how to start this email. I can't believe it's my last one. This week went by so fast. It really helped that we had Sylvie's baptism to prepare for, that kept me really focused and not freaking out at the fact that I have no time left. The baptism was just....perfect. Absolutely perfect. Everything went smoothly, Sylvie was SO excited, and the Spirit was so strong. Just absolute, pure happiness--the perfect way to end a mission. She found the perfect apartment to live in, and everything worked out just like we had hoped. She even got offered extra work so that she had enough money to pay for it (sewing ninja turtle costumes haha, she's a seamstress). It was so special, because we had asked Simona to give the baptism talk, and it was the first talk she's ever given. And she bore her testimony about how much her life has changed for the better since her baptism in April, it was so special. Such a gift for me to see how happy she is, to have been a part of her whole conversion from the beginning, and to see Sylvie start on the same journey. Sylvie bore her testimony as well, and it was also perfect. Such a beautiful day. Even the weather was perfect. Aaah. So much happiness. 

It's such a rollercoaster of emotions.Yesterday was rough, even members that I didn't know too well were tearing up saying goodbye to me. Phew, 6 months is a long time. Plzen just spoils you rotten--I've already gotten so many gifts from people, I didn't expect that. Sister Juraskova is going to teach us how to make buchty this afternoon (a dessert). Tonight I'll say goodbye to everyone else at FHE and tomorrow we head to Prague because Sister Rosenvall is training. The triplets will be the hardest to leave, I think. If I don't cry it will be a feat. I hate goodbyes.

Well, it's been the most amazing year and half of my life. It's just not possible to describe how I feel about it. It's been so amazing to see all of the miracles  I remember the first training we had with President McConkie and him talking about how we needed to get the idea that we would only see a couple baptisms because we are in Europe out of our heads. Wow, if anything ever proved that to me it's been Plzen in the last 4 months. 12 baptisms. 12!! It's been a complete miracle. And not only baptisms, but baptisms of people like Sylvie--completely prepared to embrace the gospel in every way. It's been an amazing experience to be a tool in the Lord's hands. Such a privilege.  

Well I think that's about it. Prague will be fun, I get to hang out with my MTC sisters again, and take a last walk around the city, which I'm excited about. Then there is departing interviews and dinner and a testimony meeting and goodbyes. I know that after-mission life will be good as well. It will just be different. Thank goodness for skype and facebook. I am excited to see you all. The future is as bright as our faith!

See you on Thursday!

s laskou,  Sestra Cooper

Week 27 in Plzen

                                                  4 Aug 2014

Ahojte!

Well. I don't even know how to describe this week---best birthday present ever. So many miracles. The biggest one is Syllvie, she has just absolutely incredible faith. We were afraid she would miss her baptismal date because she's living with her boyfriend, but the very night we taught her law of chastity, she explained everything to him and went to sleep at a friends. We had taught her modesty during the same lesson, and the next day she promptly went to every mall in Plzen to buy modest clothes and gave her old wardrobe to charity. It's just been an absolute miracle. She knows that the gospel is true, and she's willing to do anything to follow it. And she's already seeing the blessings--on Friday she got her dream job as a costumer for the theatre, without even asking for it. She was just there because she volunteers sometimes, and they read the names of the new employees, and her name was on the list! Plus her boyfriend proposed, and they are now engaged---in a week her entire life has changed for the better. It's been so neat to see how happy she is. I just can't help marvelling that when we sacrifice something to live the commandments the Lord just showers us in blessings. She's a living example of that principle. That faith is important--but the biggest blessings come through obedience. She is sooo excited forSaturday. We are just praying that she can find an apartment before then! But there have been so many miracles in her story that I don't doubt that something will work out. 

My birthday was awesome as well, (I can NOT believe I'm 23 already....how is that even possible??) Plzen just completely spoils you, especially when you've been here for 6 months haha. I think I had 5 different cakes....1 on Tuesday, 3 on Wednesday and 1 on Thursday. Plus the triplets, the YSAs, Syllvie and the Grays gave me presents, the branch president gave me flowers (that's a typical Czech birthday/name day present) It was just neat to feel so much love. I love this branch soooo much. I gave my testimony for the last time in Czech yesterday, and that was a neat experience. Church was extra spiritual, and Syllvie loved it. It's just been such a tender mercy for me to be able to teach her--it's really helping me to stay focused. I keep forgetting that I go home next week. But I am starting to feel at peace about my mission now. It's going to be a big change leaving it, culture shock and everything--Americans are so different from Czechs, plus the whole not-being-a-missionary thing. But I feel like Heavenly Father has been letting me know, in little ways, that he's proud of my service. That I have made a difference in at least a few people's lives, and that he's pleased with my efforts. Plus I have this wall in my brain that refuses to think about anything past the airport--that's been really helpful. So I'm just going to trust that everything after the mission will work out, even though I have no idea how. That's what faith is for right?

love you!!

Sestra Cooper

Week 26 in Plzen

                                                                  28 July 2014

Ahoj!

Well this week just flew by! Syllvie's doing good, we've taught her everything but lesson 5 and she's still loving it. She's so great. It was cool because she got to meet President McConkie, and he asked her how she met us. She said, well I noticed that everyone was avoiding walking towards them, so I went straight towards them and they were just standing there "jako takovy slunička" like little suns. (Sounds weird in English but it makes sense in Czech). That how she describes the Spirit. It was cool to hear her side of the story, I love that. She brought her boyfriend to Karelštejn on Saturday for the branch activity and we are going to hopefully start teaching him this week, so we'll see how that goes! 

We went to Karelštejn twice this week (it takes an hour and a half by train to get there)...Thursday for specialized training and then Saturday with the branch. It was fun though. Thursday was super surreal, because I had to say goodbye to everyone...aaah. So weird. I was glad that all the Czechs were there though so that I got to see everybody, not just Prague and HK zones. I was talking to Sister Regnier about it and it just felt like a dream. At the end of every transfer people get up and give their departing testimonies and you never think it's going to be you! But it was good. We recreated the dedication meeting like last year and it was short and sweet. 

It was interesting because the sisters in my group all mentioned very different things, but we've all loved our missions. I think that's what I love most about it, that missions are so personal. Everything you learn is tailor-fit to you, and the Lord knows what experiences we each need to have in order to grow into the person he wants us to be. It's amazing how much it has changed me, I feel so different from who I was before. I'm just so grateful for that. Such a privilege. Sister Hicken talked about the power of music and reactivation, Sister Regnier talked about how at the end of your mission, the overwhelming question in your mind, is did I make a difference? And Sister Donaldson talked about how she found the letter she had written to herself in the MTC, and how her expectations for the end of her mission were so much lower than what the Lord had on plan for her--how we should raise our vision of our potential, because the Lord believes in us. It was cool to see how much we've all changed. I talked about President Eyring's quote "A person cannot give a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return" and how most of the time I didn't even realize the start of miracles at the time--we were just doing what we were supposed to, and he guided our steps more than I will probably ever know. 

Well I think that's about it, just a normal week this next week. Oh except my birthday is on Wednesday haha. I keep forgetting. 23! aaaaah. I'm so old. I'm 3 years older than my comp, that's so weird. It'll basically be a normal day anyways, except we are having lunch at the Juraskovi and teaching the triplets--they said they have presents for me, so that'll be fun :) Can't believe it's almost August!! Time flies. 

s laskou,

Sestra Cooper

Week 25 in Plzen--this is just getting ridiculous.--week 25???

                                                                                                                                            20 Jul 2014

Ahojky!

Well another week went by ridiculously fast, I don't know what happens to the time! It's crazy. What even happened this week? Syllvie's doing really well, she came to all 3 hours of church yesterday and loved it! I was sooo relieved, I just just praying the whole time that she'd have a good experience. Plus she was the only YSA there and she still loved it--she's so cool! She's on baptismal date for August 9th, so we'll see! We still have to teach the commandments and she got a job offer in Switzerland, so we're just praying that she stays here! She's seriously so cool. And so prepared. Aaah love it. Our other one got moved to the same day, so we could have a double baptism my last Saturday--we'll see what happens. 

Had a total miracle the other night too--we got back from exchanges with Prague late (I was with Sister Hicken-my MTC companion, it was fun to reminese about how we were together a YEAR ago in Cbud. So weird. Plus it was in Prague so it reminded me of my first transfer, that was so long ago). Anyways so we got back late, about 10 pm and we were waiting at the tram stop to go home, and this girl comes up to us and says do you remember me? We had contacted her a couple of weeks ago and she wouldn't give us her number cause she says she sees us all the time and she'd just wait til the next time. So we said, yeah yeah.... But it was her! And she rode the tram with us almost to our house talking about the Book of Mormon, baptism and what we do--she said she'd been thinking about our conversation a lot and wanted to meet! We have a meeting with her today. It's just so cool how much the Lord guides our steps without us even knowing it. He knew we would be home late that night. Missionary work is the best! We had a goal of at least 7 investigators this transfer, because they had all pretty much dropped us at the beginning, and we passed that last week, plus two more yesterday! So great. 

For your birthday dad, we got to help with a Mormon Helping Hands project! I have always wanted to do that. We knocked plaster off of an old school (pre World War II)--and got completely filthy in the process haha. I had to scrub my hair so hard to get it all out. Somuchdust. But it was really fun. When am I ever going to get a chance to do that again?

 Well I think that's about it--I have to give my departing testimony on Thursday in front of all the Czech missionaries because we are going to the dedication site again. It's been really hard to narrow down what I've learned on my mission into a 5 minute testimony. It's pretty impossible to express how I feel about it either. But I will do my best, hopefully I won't blubber through it haha. But no guarantees--it will only be the sisters in my group leaving and elders always cry too. Blech. I hate goodbyes.

love you!

Sestra Cooper

Week 24

Ahojky!                              14 Jul 2014

Ewww time is going by way too fast....I'm really trying not to think about it or I just start panicking, but this week was kind of hard because EVERYONE asked me about it. President came down for interviews and when he got to me he was like, wait, isn't this your last transfer? That means you don't get an interview until your departing interview when we get to talk about boys and school and stuff...ick. And his brother-in-law was asking me what I studied...and then the new senior couple got here and were asking how much time I had left, blech. It's harder and harder to be in denial but I'm doing my best! ....What are you talking about, I'm staying here forever!....

The Grays (senior couple) are fantastic though! SO great. They will make such a difference in this branch, I just wish I could be here to see it. Elder Gray was the church's architect for 25 years so he designed like 40 temples (including Portland!) and the Conference Center, which means he got to work with President Hinckley almost every day. He's got some pretty good stories :) But besides that they really know what they are doing and how the church should work and everything--decades of experience, so that's a little weight off of our shoulders! They have that spiritual maturity that is hard to find. So that's super cool, we planned a bbq on Friday so that they could meet a lot of the members and it turned out really well. Plus the triplets and the Kynclovi girls sang I'm a Child of God for them in Czech and English and everybody was tearing up. It was perfect. They really are just fantastic. I love this branch sooo much. SO much.

Well this week other than that was pretty good. We have some awesome new investigators--this one YSA, Tomas, we found on a street that was pretty much empty for miles, I think it was on a Saturday too--it's a ghost town on the weekends. But he had seen the Book of Mormon musical in London and was curious to learn more about us--he didn't know sister missionaries existed :) Our first lesson was good but he said he didn't want to pray or anything, just learn the information. But then on Tuesday he came to English and he was like what kind of church is this? You have all these activities, you are all happy all the time, this is completely different from any other church I've seen. The elders had taught Word of Wisdom for the spiritual thought and he was like hey I basically live that already, I'm 3/4 Mormon! And we taught with Magda, a super great girl who has been investigating for 5 years, and she gave the best testimony about daily reading and prayer, so by the end he prayed, was excited about reading the Book of Mormon and wanted to come to church. Miracles! He's so cool. 

We're teaching another YSA named Syllvie, who is also super cool. That was a great lesson as well. She just is blown away by the fact that we serve missions voluntarily (she's 20) and brings it up all the time haha. But we were teaching her and I felt like we should give her a baptismal date. So I whispered to my comp while Syllvie was talking to Jitka (a member) and she whispered back August 9th. So I asked her if she'd prepare for that day, and she said that she'd actually been thinking about baptism all week, since our last lesson, but she wasn't sure. And then she said, plus that day is my birthday...how did you know? Gotta love the Spirit. So she's going to think about it and pray about it :) The best part is that we found her after wandering around looking for inactives for 3 hours on a Sunday when no one was around. And then I saw her and really didn't want to stop her, but I felt like I should....and voila. Tender mercies :)

What else...a inactive girl who hasn't wanted anything to do with missionaries for a while actually texted US this morning and said we could come visit her. WHAT. Miracles! All we did was go by for the umpteenth time and leave a pass-along card with a note on it in her door. So cool. Oh and we've been visiting a part-member family with the elders, and no one had ever asked her if she wanted to be baptized, because her husband was really apprehensive about it (she's been meeting with them for like 8 months or something). So I felt like I really should just ask her. So I did (this was a couple weeks ago) and to everyone's surprise she said yes! And now she's on date for July 26 and they prayed together for the first time. Plzen's so great. Just miracle after miracle. Missionary work is the best. 

Well I think that's about it, this week is a normal one, next week we have specialized training at Karelstejin again like last year....and I have to give my departing testimony...ick ick ick. I might send another package home this week, cause I don't want it to get there after me... We are going to a castle today with the elders, so that should be fun, we haven't done anything like that for a while, everyone's always too busy. 

love you! 

Sestra Cooper

Week 23 in Plzen

                                   7 Jul 2014

Ahojky!

I don't even know what happened this week, it went by really fast. We have some cool new investigators, so we are finally teaching a lot again! We have a goal of 21 lessons this week, so we'll see :) Really nothing too exciting happened. The triplets turned 11, so that was fun, we celebrated their birthday when we came over for the lesson on Thursday. They are SO cute. Nefy has memorized the first 5 articles of faith, they fasted for the whole 24 hours for fast Sunday with their mom and Johy bore her testimony in Sacrament meeting about an experience she had at school--their school serves tea, and she had asked if it was black tea or herbal, and everyone told her it was herbal, but she didn't feel right about it, so she didn't drink it, and then found out later that it was black tea after all. It was so cool to be able to teach her that that feeling she had was the Holy Ghost helping her to choose the right, she was like, really?? It's just so neat to see their testimonies grow--they all came to church with new modest skirts yesterday :) I don't know how I got so blessed to be able to teach them. And they got to go on the Temple trip on Saturday with everyone, so even though they can't go in yet they got to feel the difference on Temple grounds--Nefy told me at church she wished she was there "right now". They are just counting down the days until they turn 12. Aah so much happiness--I love that family so much. 

We are doing singing time in Primary now--can't remember if I've told you that already, but it's adorable. The kids don't know any primary songs because it used to be only the Kynclovi's 3 girls every week (that's how it was when I got here). But on Sunday we had 8 little girls, and we were missing 5 other kids. So cool. Anyways, so we've taught them Love is Spoken Here and they are loving it, started Scripture Power last week :) It's been pretty fun--even the 4 year old learned the whole thing. Plus Sister Rosenvall was primary chorister before her mission so she actually has experience haha. I just love this branch so much. All of our recent converts were bonding in Relief Society on Sunday :)

Well this email ended up being all about little kids haha. This week should be good we are so busy teaching, it's the best when you don't have time for dinner or language study :) Plus we are getting a senior couple on Thursday!! Wahoo. They will help so much--it means that we don't have to run all the activities for the YSAs, like FHE, game night, sports day, but they can be in charge. So I'm excited to have them, they really do make such a difference in a district. 

OH yeah and we have a baptismal date! It's so interesting because on our vision for the transfer we put a wedding, thinking that Petr and Kat'ka would get married so that they can get baptized--but now they are saying it will be next year. So we were kind of bummed about that, but then we started teaching the girlfriend of a less-active, and she's decided she wants to be baptized, and that they are going to get married on August so that she can! Super cool. Visions are just inspired--President Irwin used to quote that scripture all the time--where there is no vision the people perish. It's so true, if you don't have a goal to work towards, then what are you progressing towards?

Love you!  

Sestra Cooper

Week 22 in Plzen

                         30 June 2014

Ahojky!

            Phew. I don't know what to say about this week. It was so schizophrenic--super great experiences and super hard ones. But the work goes on! President is so wonderful. I called him after a disaster of a law of chastity lesson (long story short the boyfriend who introduced her to the church kind of took over and gave excuse after excuse about how they can't possibly accept a date because he's scared, so then she was just confused and questioning everything. It just weakened her trust in us, which was frustrating). Anyways. you know what President said? Sister Cooper, that doesn't sound like a disaster to me! They both still want to get baptized, and you have a meeting set up! A disaster would be them saying that they never want to see you again and that the church is stupid. hahaha. And then he said he'll come down in a couple of weeks, we'll teach it again with him bearing testimony and everything will be fine :) So that helped a lot.            

            Oh on the bright side, one of our new investigators is the girlfriend of a member who we tried to teach my first transfer here, and she wasn't really interested. But we went to visit him on Saturday and he said, oh by the way, she wants to get baptized, you need to teach her everything. And then they came to all 3 hours of church :) So that was exciting ! Plus the people we've been working with to get them to the Temple are both going on Saturday! So great.            

            OH! How could I forget?? The branch had a picnic on Friday at the home of a sister we work with, her husband isn't a member and has never been interested. But we had a goal of getting him to let us teach him, because she said he's been showing some interest, but not enough to admit it. So we were talking to him at the picnic, and he's like no no, I might believe in something, but I'm not going to turn into a believer...etc. So we were thinking ok, maybe we shouldn't ask, don't know if it would be too pushy....And then my comp was like are we doing it or not? So I said, why not let's just ask. So she was like hele, muzeme prijit a vam ucit? (hey can we come teach you?) And he said, sure why not, we can talk, but you'll never convince me, set something up with my wife. Challenge accepted!! He's never agreed to take the lessons even though members have been trying for 20 years. So we are excited :) We'll start teaching him next week. Miracles! He didn't say anything to his wife so when we told her on Sunday she was so surprised :) 

            So things are finally getting moving, I'm excited to teach more. I just love teaching so much--it's definitely my favorite part of missionary work. I'm trying to teach and testify more in contacts about the Restoration and it's making a difference for sure. Church was really good yesterday but kind of hard because I realized that I love the Czech people so much. And the language, as hard as it is sometimes. I'm trying to make the most of it while I have the chance to speak it every day--that is such a privilege. So that was really sad to think that I don't have too many Sundays left. But a lot can happen in 6 weeks, so I intend to go out with a bang!

Love you!!!

Sestra Cooper

P.S. We played softball for sports day on Saturday because Gabca has the equipment--SO FUN. And I'm SO SORE. Everywhere. Haven't sprinted like that in forever. It was awesome. Dad you would be proud, I kept my elbow up and made it on base every time :)  

Week 21 in Plzen!

                       23 June 2014

Ahoj!

Well this week was pretty good. I feel like I finally got my fire and sense of urgency back, which was such a blessing. Unfortunately I'm sick again, but hopefully that goes away soon. On Wednesday we had specialized training with Elder Teixeira of the seventy and it was really good. I learned a lot about being bold, about having more faith, believing in miracles and how to help people accept a baptismal date, and why we even invite for baptism in the first place. My favorite part though was probably Sister McConkie's training on unity--it was fantastic. She said that on her mission in Argentina 20 years ago she was serving with a companion from Peru, who of course was a native speaker, and a really good missionary. And she said that she started just being really jealous of her companion, and it was eating away at her. So one day she swallowed her pride and just told her companion how she felt, and she said her companion just looked at her and said, hermana, soy nos uno! (not sure how to spell that haha). She told her, when I talk to the taxi driver, that means you just did too, when I connect with a member, you connect with them too---we are one! And so Sister McConkie went on to talk about how that's influenced her life and marriage, she said when she was home having babies and couldn't make it to the temple, President still went every week, and she would think to herself, soy nos uno, soy nos uno, that means I'm in the Temple, and he's at home picking cheerios off his pajamas. hahaha. I just loved it.

And then she shared an experience that she heard a czech sister tell about her mission in Russia. This sister was training two greenies at once and it was right after communism, so when they were tracting in Moscow they got picked up by the police, who were really suspicious of foreigners. They were taken to the prison and had to walk down a long corridor full of male prisoners who shook the bars and yelled things at them. She said that she took one greenie in one arm and the other on the other side and they walked down that hall, and she just kept saying--you cannot divide us, you cannot divide us. They got to the end, and were able to testify to the warden when he interrogated them, and he eventually let them go. But it was just such a beautiful example of unity--you cannot divide us, you cannot divide us. And so me and my companion have been saying that all week---we are one, you cannot divide us. So when she contacts the person on the street first instead of me because I'm too scared--we are one. When I ask a good question in a lesson--it's the same as if she did, because we are one. And it has made SUCH a difference, in absolutely everything.Even just making sure we walk side by side. It's made a difference in teaching, in finding, in confidence, in attitude. It's been amazing. This transfer has really taught me about unity, and I'm so so grateful. Sister Rosenvall is so great. We get along so well and have so much in common-it's been such a blessing. We downloaded a couple more conversations from the mormon channel onto our phone so we've been listening to those, and the unity between the spouses has been so evident as well in those talks. It's amazing how once you learn something new, all of the sudden you see it everywhere. 

I've been reading the New Testament a lot this week and I just finished Acts today. I want to finish all of the standard works on my mission, and the New Testament is the last one I have left. It really impressed me as I was reading that the church really is organized exactly the same as it was then. So cool. The church is so true. And it is growing so much here in Plzen--the zone leaders baptized another family on Saturday--they have 4 kids. The chapel is completely full on Sundays, I think we had almost 60-something people at church--we need a new building :) And Kat'ka came for the first time! She's doing so well. And Simona--my goodness everytime we see her and the girls they look happier--she has so much faith. We got to go to the girls 5th grade graduationon Tuesday and that was so fun. And they are going to the Temple again next week. Aah I just love it here so much. We have 4 first lessons set up for this week already, so hopefully some of them turn into new investigators. Missions are the best.

Love you!!

Sestra Cooper

P.S. just realized it's the 23rd today, which means I've been a missionary for exactly 18 months. Wow. Time flies.

Week....wait for it.... 19 in Plzen!

Cau vsichni! 9 June 2014  So dream come true, I'm staying in Plzen with Sister Rosenvall!! Phew. We were pretty convinced that was going to happen but of course the night before transfer calls we were freaking out and I thought I was going to go to Slovakia and she thought she was going to Brno haha. But nope! It's good that we are both staying because we have a super cool new progressing investigator and we just started doing singing time in Primary :) I don't even know how to describe this week, it was the longest week of my life! haha. But a lot of really cool things happened. I don't know if you remember Diego, the Italian man I was teaching in Brno? We found him in November. But he got baptized on Saturday!!! Super cool--he's the first person I actually found who's made it to baptism. So that was really nice to hear :) This last transfer was insane in terms of baptisms, we had 29 total across the mission in two months. And 7 of those were in Plzen (the elders baptized a mom and her son on Saturday ) :) The Lord is hastening His work! So awesome.  

The other really cool thing that happened was on Tuesday, Elder Kearon of the Seventy, Sister Wixom (primary general president) and Sister Reeves (2nd counselor in Relief Society) came to visit Prague. We got to go with some members and investigators to the special fireside. It was sooo good for the members because they did leadership training for the auxilaries. Plus it was neat for me and my comp because Sister McConkie asked us to bring Sister Reeves upstairs to their apartment so we got to meet them all and hug them. That was cool--they brought such spiritual maturity with them when they talked--I don't know quite how to describe it, but the church is so young here that there is definitely a difference. It was good to be reminded that we aren't the only ones on the battlefield so to speak--they talked about how they were waiting in a line at the airport in Portugual when the lady in front of them found out it would be 10 min longer wait and commented on how 10 minutes can be soo long. Sister Reeves said they looked at each other and then started talking to her about the gospel. haha love it!

In terms of the work it was a pretty rough week, we got dropped by almost all of our investigators and all the potentials either dogged us or didn't answer their phones. So that was kind of frustrating. We also had an interesting experience the other day with this lady on the street who just started yelling at us about how the bible is enough, how she already knows everything from the internet etc...it was just interesting because she was so angry, and if she had listened to what we were saying we would have been able to answer all of her questions. But all we could do was not get mad back, be patient and bear our testimonies. Finally at the end she stopped long enough for me to state our message of the restoration and testify about it and invite her to find out for herself, and then she apologized and wished us luck. It was just kind of bizarre, but a good experience-- sharing your testimony really is the only thing you can do when that happens.

 But Kat'ka, our progressing investigator is doing awesome--she's the one I mentioned last week, the girlfriend of the elder's investigator? We had an amazing lesson with her--we aren't really sure what changed. But we taught Restoration and she had studied Alma 32 (even marked it up) and prayed for the first time in her life. She said she felt "love towards something and love back towards her" so she knows that something is there, and that she's excited to learn more about who God is so she can know if it's him. SO COOL. We just walked out of there in shock haha. I don't know why it still surprises me that what we teach actually works when people are willing to try it! That's the hardest part, is getting them to just try it, to read and to pray. If they do that, they will get an answer, and it will change their life :)  

This transfer is just going to fly by, so I refuse to get depressed about not having any investigators--we are going to find some despite the blazing heat and being disgustingly sweaty haha--summer has officially hit! Plus we've made a lot of progress with less-actives and helping out the branch. And we have a goal of running every day because we got fed waaay too much this week and czech food is all potatoes and butter and meat, I refuse to go home fat!!! hahaha. At least we're on the same page--comp unity :) And I'm almost done with my last two language levels! yayyy sklonovani (cases) takes foorrever to pass off. We have a member of the area presidency coming to our next training in two weeks, so I'm excited about that. Good things are happening!   love you sooooo much Sestra Cooper

Week 18 in Plzen!

2 June 2014 Ahojte! So weird that I've been here for 4 months already. I cannot believe it's June!!! So crazy--It seriously feels like Christmas was yesterday. We both think we're going to stay here next transfer, which would be a dream come true, but that might just be wishful thinking :) We'll find out on Saturday! I'm glad the package got there, I'm sending another one home today. Dad-I love that idea of the book of life being more about our covenants and ordinances and who we have become than a sum total of our acts--that feels right to me. Cool. I had a really good personal study today, I printed off Elder Bednar's talk and studied it,and it's sooo good. I love it when he talks about the enabling power of the atonement--I really feel like I understand that now after being here. There have been so many days when I really felt like I couldn't keep going, and somehow the strength was there. I was thinking about sacrifice this morning too, because a lot of people we talk to will say things like, wow that's such a huge sacrifice, how do you do it, we admire you, etc. Which is always a little weird for me, because I really don't see it that way at all. I think I did at the beginning, but now it's just pure gratitude at all the blessings I have received because of the privilege to serve and I feel indebted for that chance, not deserving of sympathy! haha. I did get kind of trunky this weekend, which was annoying, but I fasted and I'm feeling better. Plus we taught the triplets about modesty after church and that helped--they are best! Two of them were just asking question after question--what about this kind of shirt, is that okay? what about these shorts? haha. But little Nefy was just rolling her eyes at them and was like, good thing you taught us this lesson, now we know what we need to buy! my goodness they are cute.They are already planning a "spolecne den" (together day) for when I come back to visit, they were like, you can stay here and we'll hang out ALL day hahahaha, and you'll get to translate for your family! They are so excited to meet you all. This week was pretty normal, nothing too crazy happened. We did start teaching the girlfriend of one of the elder's investigators, they've tried to teach her in the past but she was never interested, but he invited us over for lunch and it turned out really well. We used Alma 32 and talked about it as a science experiment (she studying biology and is an atheist). So at the end we asked her if she was willing to try it, and she said "asi jo" (yeah). I was so surprised, I think I did a double take, to make sure I had heard right haha. So we are meeting with her again on Wednesday! So excited. So that was really cool. Oh yeah and we had a concert on Friday-- It was Restoration-themed so we taught the first lesson through songs. It turned out pretty well, considering the fact that the elders cancelled half of the practices and some of the songs weren't exactly on pitch...and one of their investigators showed up with instruments wanting to play their own pieces, that weren't church-related. haha gotta love it. Mom-that's so cool about the Family History! 1680...I am SO excited to go to Sweden and see all of it. Sounds like the Temple trip was really neat. love you all!! Sestra Cooper

Week 17 in Plzen

26 May 2014 Ahoj! Well this week was kind of a blur, but a lot of really cool things happened. We went to Prague twice, once for training, and once for a baptism cause we were singing at it. That was fun. We're having a concert on Friday so we've been singing a lot. It was pretty funny on Saturday because we were running late on the way to catch the train and so my comp prayed before we left the apartment for an "autobusove zazrak" (a bus miracle) and a train miracle too. Then she laughed and was like, spis, tramvaj...cause we always take a tram, not a bus. But we got outside to find that they were working on the tram tracks and all of the trams had magically turned into buses haha. We laughed pretty hard at that, I think Heavenly Father was showing us that he has a sense of humor :) But THEN....we get on the train, and it's late and who do we sit by? a 20 year old guy from California studying abroad in Germany on his way to Prague, who is hours later than he planned and shouldn't have even been on that train in the first place because of a whole series of events. It turned out that we were only going one metro stop away from his too, so we helped him get a ticket and everything cause he doesn't speak Czech. Oh the craziest part--mom you might know his parents, his dad went to Torrance for high school, but he's a little older than you. Crazy huh? So if you remember any Sandstroms I met one of them. It was just so interesting--there is just no way that was a coincidence-too many things had to happen for us to meet him, he was only in the Czech Republic for a day. So that will be really cool if something comes of that, he got our contact info. Things like that happen to us all the time--what are the chances?? We really don't meet very many Americans. Yesterday was really neat too, one of our investigators came to church for the first time and really liked it, he was talking to everybody! Plus the elders came with us to visit a couple sick members to bring them the sacrament, and that was a really neat experience. The power that entered the room the second they knelt down to bless it was just so strong. The scripture: "in the ordinances thereof the power of godliness is manifest" came to mind, and it finally clicked for me. It's so true--the spirit is so strong during moments like that. That was really neat. The other neat thing this week was in studies--I was reading an old Ensign, and there was an article about how the good samaritan parable can be read as an allegory for the fall and the plan of salvation, and that it was in early Christianity. The coolest part was that it was inspired by a stained-glass window in Chartres in France--that I've totally seen! And I remember wondering why the fall and the good samaritan stories were in the same window. Super cool. So I studied that this morning and learned a ton, that was really neat. He talks about how the man is Adam, or us, Christ is the Good Samaritan, the priest is the law of Moses, Levite is the Old Testament prophets, oil is ordinances, the bandages are covenants and the wine is the atonement, the inn is the church, innkeeper is us as members or church leaders. Super cool. Well that's about it, we met a cool mom on the way home last night, I hope she meets with us. I made my planner for next transfer, which was very weird--it's the last one I will ever make. I'm really hoping I stay here, but we'll see what happens. I'm trying to make the most of every second I have left to stay in this beautiful country. So many things happened this week to remind me how incredibly grateful I am for my mission, and how much I wish I could stay forever. I have learned so many things that I never would have otherwise and changed so much--I will be grateful forever for the privilege of serving a mission--there is just no way I can express how I feel about it. I used the scripture in Alma 26:11-12 for my planner--that says it the best: "behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God...I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." I feel that joy and I have seen those miracles. Just too much happiness. Love you!

Week 16 in Plzen

19 May 2014 Ahoj! This week just flew by, can't believe it's P-day already. We went to the Great Synagogue today before we emailed, which was cool--it's the second largest in Eastern Europe after the one in Prague I think.That was neat because we went with a member from Prague who came down to visit, and she has a grandpa who was killed in Auschwitz, so she told us about some of her family history--that was really interesting to hear about. Plus it turns out she served a mini-mission here when Aunt Marci was a missionary, so she totally knows her! Weird huh? So you should ask her if she remembers a Marketa Kalenska. haha it was pretty funny because I was like, wait...you served in 98?? I bet you know my aunt! small world, especially cause I've known Marketa since C Bud. So that was fun. The rest of the week....we've been sick for the last couple of days which wasn't too fun, but we're pretty much over it. We got to do more service on Saturday, sorting logs, so that was cool. And the senior couple who came down to inspect our apartment gave me a haircut, which I was really happy about. It was a pretty low-key week, although we did have a miracle happen on Wednesday. We were going to head home to eat dinner and have language study, which was good because we were both feeling pretty miserable. But it crossed my mind that we should stop by this one inactive's house, but I kind of forgot about it until my comp said the same thing a couple of minutes later. So we were like ok well we definitely have to go know, that was inspiration. So we get to her house in the pouring rain, ring the zvonek with full confidence that she will be home--and she was! She had never let us in or given us her number before, but would talk to us at the gate. So this time she's talking to us and all of the sudden is like, I think you'd better come visit me, how about Sunday? She was baptized in 1991 and has been inactive for a good twenty years, so that was neat. And we had a meeting with her yesterday, and she gave us her number and said we could come back! We'll see where it goes. But the miracle doesn't stop there, because as we were walking away, Sister Rosenvall suggested we stop by another one's house even though we've stopped by at least 5 times and she's never been home. But she was! miracles. She didn't have time, but said we could come back at least, so that's major progress. It was just a little thing, but a testimony to me that when we just give a little bit more effort than we want to, that that is when the miracles happen. We also had a neat experience last Monday--there's a YSA here who has been thinking about preparing to go through the temple but was feeling really unsure about it, she just kept bringing up all these reasons that it wouldn't work...So we ended up having an impromptu lesson with her about it, and it was so interesting, because it was exactly the same turmoil that investigators have before they commit to a baptismal date, she was feeling all uneasy and unsure--but the second she committed to work towards July 5, she was so happy. It was night and day difference, and she noticed it. So now we are teaching her the temple prep course once a week and she said that her last reservations are gone, and now she's just looking forward to it. That was a really neat experience because we didn't plan it at all, it was completely spirit-led, and it was cool to realize that missionary work is exactly that--about helping people prepare for their next covenant--be that baptism, the priesthood or the temple, it's all the same work. We've made some major progress with another active member who doesn't have a testimony of living prophets, and now she is excited about going to do baptisms in the temple :) It's just the best feeling in the world to see people change! Well that's about it for this week--we have training in Prague again (already!) on Thursday, which should be fun, and before I know it, this transfer will be over. aaaah. love you! Sestra Cooper

Week 15 in Plzen...aaaah

12 May 2014 Ahoj! So that's super weird, I just realized I've been in Plzen longer than the time I have left as a missionary. aaaaaah. trying not to think about it....It was great to talk to you yesterday! Thanks for helping me feel a lot better about after-mission stuff, that was really helpful to realize that I don't have to figure out life on my own. Of course I wouldn't anyways but I think that was kind of in my head you know? Anyways....enough of that. I pretty much already told you about my week, so not sure what to say.....It was funny last night cause the zone leaders called for something (they are in my district) and they were like "are you aware that you gave the best missionary talk ever given in the mission?" haha I don't know that it was THAT good, but it was still nice to hear. I did feel pretty strongly inspired when I wrote it, so that was a neat experience. I think I already told you that I used Pres Uchtdorf's talk Are you sleeping through the restoration, but I basically just invited the whole branch to wake up, be engaged and work their hardest to serve others, work on their personal conversion and believe in miracles. Pretty bold...but what's the use in tiptoeing around it? we are soooo close to a stake! So close. I just want to do everything I can to help them believe it and work for it. I never realized how much I took it all for granted at home, having a patriarch, temples and everything. I'm just so excited for the Czech people to have it too. They've been waiting almost a century--the first missionaries got here in the 1930s. Actually the first one was in the 1800s. So long. This week was really awesome actually, since we found 4 new investigators! It actually would have been 6, which is insane, but two of them cancelled. So that was really exciting. Plus we taught the Restoration like 4 times--and there is just something really special about that. We've really been teaching by the Spirit and trying to teach to their needs, which meant that we had some fantastic lessons this week. Filip's was just amazing. I'm so excited about that. I realized during one of those lessons that I only have a limited amount of time left to be able to teach people about the gospel in such a bold and clear way--it really is such a privilege. I'm trying to just give my all every day and love every second of it--awkward moments and all. Well that's about it....Other news, my trainer is engaged! She sent me pictures today. Crazy.... She's getting married in June. We're going to another castle today, Kozel, with one of our investigators, so that should be fun. Trying to fit everything in.... love you! Sestra Cooper

Week 14 in Plzen!

5 May 2014 Ahoj! Another week just flew by, I can't believe it's already halfway through the transfer! I started a package of winter stuff, so I'll probably send that home this week. Can't believe we get to skype on Sunday!! I feel like Christmas was just yesterday. So weird. I'm giving another talk on Sunday too, so hopefully that turns out well. What happened this week...we went to Prague twice and fasted twice haha, so the days are kind of blurred together in my head. We had training on Wednesday, which was fantastic as usual. And then we fasted on Friday cause our mission is having a 40 day fast--that has been so cool. We are having so much more success mission-wide, Prague has had a baptism every week but one this transfer and Plzen has 5 more scheduled for this end of this month. So cool! Miracles!! We are so going to have a stake by the end of the year. And we are having an area conference this summer i think, and a seventy, sister reeves and sister wixom are coming! that will be so cool. Saturday we had a little miracle, inspired by you Annica! A young man my companion had taught last transfer got baptized and we had no way to get there cause we thought we had to have an investigator or use it as our p-day. So i just said a little prayer that we could go somehow because she really wanted to be there. And then 10:25 at night, President called and approved the trip, we just had to shorten our P-day today. It was just really cool because I just knew that something was going to work out, even though my comp had kind of resigned herself to the fact that we weren't going. So that was really neat. Plus I got to see Vaclav again and congratulate him on being a member for almost a year! So crazy. It was really cool cause he was just thanking me for helping him join the church and I got his address so that I can send him a postcard from home. It's so cool to see that he's still active and doing great. Oh! and Constantin's son got baptized too :) They've officially started a group in his city and he's coming back to C Bud to work again. I guess President has been talking to the Romanian mission president and he was saying that they just love him over there :) Well that's about it, there's really nothing too exciting from this week, lots of cancelled lessons. But we have a cool new investigator and another one came to church for the first time! So we'll see what happens with them. Oh yeah! I almost forgot there was another miracle this week. The investigator who came to church for the first time has really strong ties to another church who hates mormons and she was always talking about "pani fararka" (a pastor) who keeps warning her against us. So on Tuesday we felt like we should go contacting along the river. So we did, but after an hour we didn't have a single number and we were kind of wondering why we felt like we should be there. But just then I contacted this woman with a dog, and guess who it turned out to be?? Yep the pastor. She wasn't super friendly, but I was able to at least introduce the Restoration and tell her that we were Christians (she really didn't know anything about us--kept asking if our church was registered here---we've been here since the 1930s). So that was really cool-I had to be pretty persistant because she kept trying to walk away, but at least she's met us now and we were pleasant. -she knows that we're not crazy at least! The Lord really does guide our steps :) love you!! Sestra Cooper

Week 13 in Plzen!

28 Apr 2014 Ahoj! This week was pretty average, we are trying to find new investigators since we lost our 4 main ones in the best possible way :) Things are looking up, we have some lessons set up for this next week with some new people, so I'm excited about that. It was cool because we were looking at our branch vision (we all created a vision of what our branches need to be wards at the beginning of the year so that we know who to look for as we find, and so that we can have a stake at the end of the year). One of the people on the list was a family of 4, preferably with young women :) (The girls turn 12 next summer!) SO. COOL. So we were looking at the other people we need, and we decided we were going to focus on YSA men, because we only have 1 right now. We both hate contacting young men....but we decided we were going to do it anyways and pray that we would find the person we need to find. At the end of a contacting block we ended up in Bory park and since we were talking to all the young men, we contacted this guy with long hair. Turns out he is studying English and is Christian and was intrigued when we talked about the book of mormon. He ended up coming to game night and then going out to pizza with all the ysas and having a great time. Jitka said he just fit in perfectly. And we have a first lesson with him today :) It was just so neat. Who knows what will happen, but I think it was all way too guided for him to not become an investigator :) It's just the best to look back on something and realize that you were guided by the spirit even though you had no idea. We were just being obedient and talking to people. Missions are the best. Me and my comp were talking about all the things we've learned on our missions the other day, and I was telling her that I feel like I have such a greater capacity to love. Just loving others, loving God, loving life, loving the gospel--it's all encompassing. Such a gift, in so many ways. I really felt that yesterday at church, because the Chrdlovi from C Bud came up since he's the new district president, so I got to see Johy again (she's already 17...so crazy)! And she got to meet Simona and the triplets. It was so great to see two of my favorite families in the Czech Republic together--I can't even describe it. I was just so happy. And Johy told me that one of the daughters of that inactive family we worked with when I was there is now participating in seminary by skype and went to a dance in prague for youth and loved it. It's so cool to look back and see all the progress--I was there almost a year ago! And my first convert Vaclav, is working on receiving the Melchisedek priesthood. And Simona's going on the branch temple trip on May 10. Aaaaah. So much happiness. I just love my mission. I so wish I could be here when we get a stake. It's sooo close. This week should be good, we have training in prague on wednesday (i should get my package then, mom), and we might go to prague on sat for a baptism of a guy that sister rosenvall taught. So we'll see. I'm just trying to put my all into the time I have left, it's going by waaay too fast. love you!!! Sestra Cooper

Week 12 in Plzen

Ahoj! 21 Apr 2014 This week was really great. We got to teach Simona and her daughters every night, and they are just amazing. The girls all have strong testimonies even though they are only 10 and they are the cutest. They were telling us that their teacher at school is an atheist and often talks about how God doesn't exist, so most of their friends don't believe either. But these girls are so amazing--they testified to their friends that they know that God answers prayers, and that they were getting baptized on Saturday.I wish you could meet them! We had a miracle on Friday, because Simona still wasn't quite sure that she had gotten her answer when they came for their interviews, but by the time we sat down to have a lesson she said something like, everything in my life is going really well so I guess that's my answer. And then we started to read 3 Nephi 17, and two verses in, she gasped and started crying as she felt the Spirit confirm that she was making the right choice. It was so neat because I didn't even feel that inspired that morning when I picked that chapter--I just thought, it's when Christ heals the children, so I think it will be special for the girls. But it turns out that their mom was the one that needed to hear it. Roksana, her best friend and a member, just kept asking how did you pick that chapter?? it was perfect! I just said that we prayed about it. It was just such a testimony to me that God really does guide our steps--so much more than I think I will ever realize. That was what she needed to hear--that this is what her girls need. It was amazing. Saturday was the baptism! It was beautiful, in this little lake by the village of Stenovice. It had been cold all week, but during the baptism it was so sunny and warm that we didn't even need coats. The girls were pretty scared about the cold water, but they made it haha. And President McConkie showed up as a surprise and played his violin on the top of the cliff looking down at us, aah it was so beautiful. And then yesterday was the best Easter ever, because all of them got confirmed, along with one of the elder's investigators who got baptized too. The Spirit was so strong the whole sacrament meeting--it was really special. And they are so happy. Ah being a missionary is the best. It was the perfect time to just really think about what the Savior means to me, and it was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had taking the sacrament--it means so much more to me now than it ever has before. The atonement really is such a gift. That was definitely the highlight of the week--I didn't really think about anything else! My comp is the best, we just laugh all the time. We rearranged our apartment this morning so it's much more homey, that was fun. Some funny moments this week--this old lady tried to force feed us wafers even though we told her we were fasting for Simona, so we ended up having to hide them in our bags hahaha. Czech grandmas....another one interrupted our lesson and was like do you cook?? We said yeah of course,when we have time... But she wasn't convinced and then proceeded to pray that we would learn how to cook so that we can get married when we get home and have kids, and that we wouldn't live off of bread and water like prisoners.hahahaha we just died of laughter the second she left, it was soo funny. No idea how she got that idea into her head, but it is actually true that we never have time to eat dinner. But that's ok cause we are teaching lessons--we just have to eat on the way. Oh it was hilarious. Other than that....we managed to make it through Easter without getting whipped! haha.(Easter is more on Monday than Sunday here) They aren't supposed to do it after noon, but who knows what will happen at fhe tonight haha. I bought one this year so i'll get to bring it home :) Jitka explained more about the tradition--it's a pagan thing, supposed to bring women health. And girls are supposed to give the boys dyed eggs in return. But if they whip you after noonyou get to throw water on them. haha gotta love it. Plus one of the czech grandmas in the branch made us all of us missionaries a little easter dinner to take home, so that was awesome. A potato loaf--kind of like quiche, pickles, a special easter bread and some fruit :) It was pretty good. And we dyed eggs last night. So it was fun. love you all! Happy Easter!