Hey everyone,

Yea, so this past week was pretty awesome. Nothing in particular but it was just overall a better week. So, there have been some fires too. The first week was in Boulder, just south of us, and it wasn't too bad where we were, not like back home when we had the fires. There is one going on right now just west of Loveland so it looks like Longmont will be safe for now. Oh and I have to tell you, the family sweatshirt curse struck me today. We were in Ross and I ended up buying a sweatshirt. I don't know what came over me.

Anyways, this past week we had zone conference and normally zone conferences can be kind of long and tiring, but something was different at this zone conference. The spirit was super strong and we really focused on how we can improve as a mission. It just so happens that it was right on my year mark so it was a great way to kick off the new mission year. They also showed a video of missionaries for our training and guess where it was filmed.....San Diego! I’m not going to lie, it made me a little trunky. All they had to do is show one clip of the beach....

Other than that, things have been going pretty well. We have been trying to get the ward to really focus on the ward mission plan because missionary work in the ward is struggling and I feel that everyone is on a different page. My companion and I are getting along a lot better than the first week and now it isn't a matter of "Please let these 6 weeks hurry". So, normally missionaries burn a shirt at the year mark but I didn't really feel like it. The tie burning at 6 months wasn't super exciting and I decided that I wanted to keep the shirts that I have. As far as things that I need....not this transfer but next transfer I might need some new gloves and earmuffs because next month is when it starts getting cold again!

Elder Cooper