MY CONVERSION

Once again, BEST WEEK EVER! I am one happy missionary.((:

We decided to make cookies to give to people we wanted to go visit and it was a HIT.
One of the experiences with that was we visit this cute older woman (we'll call her M) and she doesn't really know she is an investigator, she refuses a lesson, so we usually visit for a little and then share a spiritual thought that gets us going in good conversation where we can subtly teach a lesson. But we gave cookies to her and as we were leaving her apartment her next door neighbor was sitting outside and we said hi and the girl (we'll call her A) jumped up and came over to talk to us. A has had a hard life and hasn't felt God at all and we talked to her for awhile and shared a Book of Mormon that we had marked up and put tabs in. And before we could talk about it, M jumped in and was like "Oh it's so good, you have to take it. I read mine all the time and I think you'll enjoy it." Sister Wolfgramm and I looked at each other with amazement because M always seemed hesitant talking religion with us but here she was bearing her testimony of it to A. She took it and set up another time to meet. ((:

(spiritual thougghttt, i think it's pretty gooodd, you should read it(; )
For a dinner message we read 2 Nephi 32:3 and then did an activity where you pick a # between 1 and 531 and open to that page in BOM and study that ONE random page and pull out highlights and deity. EVERY time we have done it, it has been exactly what I needed to hear. Last night it was page 127 in Jacob 5. In verse 18 it talks about the wild tree whose branches were grafted and "have taken hold of the moisture...and become of much strength." and in verse 22 the servant is asking the Lord why he planted a tree in the poorest spot in the vineyard and he said, "Counsel me not; I knew that it was a poor spot of the ground; wherefore, I said unto thee, I have nourished it this long time, and thou beholdest that it hath brought forth much fruit." All of this makes me think of the "wild tree" that I was before. Like the servant, I questioned why I was in a poor spot and not as strong or active as I would've wanted. But I know now that God had another plan for me, He knew where I was and what I was doing but he loved me regardless (even though I didn't fully feel He was there) and he nourished me until I was able to "take hold of the moisture and bring forth fruit." I always say that I wish I had the same love for the Book of Mormon before because it would've made me a better person, but even if I WAS handed the Book of Mormon with the things I know and feel now, it would not mean as much to me without having to experience the learning and growing and figuring out the happiness that comes from obedience. There is opposition in all things (2 Nephi 2:11) but I never thought I would see that opposition in myself like that. I see what my life is like on both sides and it makes me want to be even better because I know the side I want to be on, I want those blessings. My life has changed and become so much better because of my love for the Book of Mormon and being out here on a mission. I am so grateful for it.

We had so many neat experiences and miracles this week that I wish I could share them all, but I'll try to keep it short. All of the people we are working with are progressing so much and it makes me the happiest person! This upcoming week is going to be amazing, I can feel it. Can't wait to tell you all about them next week(:
LOVE YOU!
Sister Cooper (((((((: