Week 18 in Brno

25 Jan 2014 I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW. just got an email about Constantin, this is what it says: "Anyone who helped teach Constantin would be happy to hear this news. Could you share this with Sis. Cooper and Sis. Bateman? He was baptized in C Bud in September after almost a year of lessons, and was afraid he would be all alone when he went home [to Romania] as a non-drinker at Christmas. My Facebook IM exchange just now with him: There are 8 people coming to his home daily to read the BOM, books having being provided by the mission in Bucharest. His wife will be baptized Feb 8, her sister-in-law's sister is also on date. And also his son! American missionaries come regularly to teach, and there is already talk of opening a branch. Constantin is ecstatic! He did not expect to share this gospel this easily when he returned home." I can't even believe it!! aaaaah. So amazing. We promised him that if he just took that step of faith and got baptized that God would provide a way... 1 Ne 3:7. I knew that He would but I didn't think it would be that miraculous!!!!! Constantin has so much faith. And I've met his family over skype before, I'm sooo so happy. I can't even express how I'm feeling right now, just sitting here literally crying with happiness in this internet cafe. This week I was struggling because there's a chance that I will leave Brno next week, and I was feeling like I haven't even made a difference in anyone's life here over the past 4 months. But wow. President read Elder Witsoe's dedicatory prayer this summer, and he talks about how through this mission the other nations of Eastern Europe would be blessed---I didn't know at the time that I would be able to help with that. I just love my mission so much. I don't want to leave. I actually keep having nightmares about having to go home early and then I wake up so sad, and realize that I'm still here and it's ok. I remember someone saying that at the mtc, that if you serve well it will be harder to come home than it was to leave. And I thought, there is no way it will be like that for me--I can't even imagine that. But I'm starting to. Mom and Dad you know I love you so much, I just wish you could be here too and meet these amazing people that I've grown to love. And I had a really neat experience on Thursday that confirmed to me that I am making a difference here too, even if it doesn't seem like it. We were having a singing display and I was really feeling discouraged. No one was even stopping to talk to me, and then this one man was really really mean, and condescending, told me religion is for children, insulted my czech etc etc. So I was relieved when it was my turn to sing again. And then it was time to switch already and I was just praying for help, saying, look Heavenly Father, I'm doing my best right now, and it's not enough. So then I contacted this one lady, and she stopped. Her name is Gabriela. And somehow I just felt the Spirit working through me. All of the sudden I was happy and enthusiastic and I could feel God's love for her. She told me she feels this energy in nature and between people sometimes, and that if I say that that is God she will believe me. And she interrupted me, saying wow I've never seen such beautiful eyes, they're green and brown together! Haha I know that sounds weird but she noticed the light there, that something was different about me, it wasn't me at all. And then at the end of a 20 min conversation about mission calls and heavenly father, and our humanitarian work and prophets in the freezing cold, she told me wow, I can feel that you left something with me, it's really nice. So I promised her that she can feel that spirit all the time. We have a first meeting set up for Thursday and I am so excited. Even if we don't end up teaching her, if something happens, I will always remember that experience--how I was able to be an instrument in God's hands, and teach one of his precious daughters that she matters and that He cares. Missions are just seriously the best. I had no idea when I left how much it would change my life. I know everyone says that, but it's so true. It's just a miracle. And even with all the ups and downs it's been the best thing I've ever done. Ever. The hardest, but the best. It's so worth it. I'm excited about this last week of the transfer--we got a list of less-actives to go to town with, and we are just going to work so hard. I hope that I stay. I don't feel like my work here is done yet. But we'll see, as always whatever happens will be whatever I need. love you sooo much, Sestra Cooper P.S. Oh yeah, I got to play squash this morning for the first time, it's pretty fun. And we are going up to Spilberk again because there is a member here who knights all the missionaries if you learn correct Brno slang haha. I'm excited. the picture: Czech cukrovi--they all bake these at Christmastime.